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u.  .s.  DEPARTMENT  OF    A<  ikK  3   Li  "i   kL 

OFFICE  OK  EXPERIMENT  STATIONS     Bl  '110. 


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PROCEEDINCiS 


SIXTH     ANNUAL     Ml-: 


AMERICAN  ASSOCIATION  OF  FARMERS'  INS 


BUFFALO,  W,\X  FORK,  SEPTEMBER  1C  AND  19,  liiiil 


EDITED   15V 
,V.    <  '.   TRtJE    jsLNT)    J>i   .T.    CKDSHY 

AM) 

For  //)^  Association. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    QVl 


1902 


^14^ 


J 


_        US.  DEPOSITORY 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF   AGRICULTURE. 

OFFICE  OF  EXPERIMENT  STATIONS— BULLETIN  NO.  110. 


a.  (  .  TRU  E.   I  >i  rect< 


PROCEEDINGS 


SIXTH    ANNUAL     MEETING 


AMERICAN  ASSOCIATION  OF  FARMERS'  INSTITUTE  WORKERS. 


BUFFALO,  NEW  YORK,  SEPTEMBER  18  AND  19,  1901 


EDITED    BY 

A-    C.   TRUE    ^NIJ    IX   .T.    CROSBY, 
For  the  ojjii'i  of  Experiment  Stations, 

AND 

GK    C.    CREELMAN, 
For  the  Association. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT    PRINTING    OFFICE, 

1  9  0  2 . 


OFFICE  OF  EXPERIMENT  STATIONS. 


A.  0.  True,  Ph.D.,  Director. 

E.  \V.  Allen,  Ph.  D.,  Assistant  Director  and  Editor  of  Experiment  Station  Record. 
W.  II.  Beal,  B.  A.,  M.  E.,  Editor  of  Experiment  Station  Work  and  Miscellaneous 
Publications. 

EDITORIAL   DEPARTMENTS. 

Chemistry,  Dairy  Farming,  and  Dairying. — E.  W.  Allen  and  H.  W.  Lawbon. 

Meteorology,  Fertilizers  and  Soils  (including  methods  of  analysis),  and  Agricul- 
tural Engineering. — W.  H.  Beal. 

Botany  and  Diseases  of  Plants. — Walter  H.  Evans,  Ph.D. 

Foods  and  Animal  Production. — C.  F.  Laxgworthy,  Ph.  D. 

Field  Crops. — J.  I.  Schulte. 

Entomology  and  Veterinary  Science. — E.  V.  Wilcox,  Ph.  D. 

Horticulture. — C.  B.  Smith. 

Agricultural  Institutions. — D.  J.  Crosby. 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL 


U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Office  of  Experiment  Stations. 
Washington,  D.  C,  December  l.!h  1001. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  for  publication  as  Bul- 
letin No.  110  of  this  Office,  a  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  sixth 
annual  meeting  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers'  Institute 
Workers,  held  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  September  18  and  19,  1901.  The 
membership  of  this  association  comprises  the  superintendents  of  farm- 
ers' institutes  in  the  different  States  and  it  is  thus  broadly  representa- 
tive of  the  farmers'  institute  movement. 

Respectfully,  A.  C.  True, 

Director. 
Hon.  James  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculture. 

3 


CONTENTS 


Page. 

Officers  and  members  of  the  association <> 

Constitution  of  the  association 7 

By-laws 8 

Historical  note -  9 

address  of  welcome.     By  F.  A.  Convebse,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  superintendenl  of 

Livestock,  Pan-American  Exposition 11 

Response  to  address  of  welcome.    By  James  Mills,  president  of  Agricultural 

College,  Guelph,  Canada 12 

Annual    address   of    the    president.      By   Superintendent   C.    I).    Smith,    of 

Michigan 13 

Relation  of  the  institute  to  our  industrial   population.     By  W.  I).  Hoard,  of 

Wisconsin 20 

The  relation  of  the  United  States  Department  of  Agriculture  to  farmers'  insti- 
tutes.    By  A.  ( J.  True,  Director,  Office  of  Experiment  Stations,  Washington, 

DC 22 

Five-minute  reports  from  different  States 23 

Florida.     By  Superintendent  H.  E.  Stockbridgk 23 

Indiana.      By  Superintendent  W.  C.  Latta 25 

Maryland.      By  Superintendent  W.  L.  Amoss 25 

Michigan.     By  Superintendent  C.  D.  Smith 27 

Minnesi  >ta.      By  Superintendent  O.  C.  Gregg 28 

Mississippi.     By  Superintendent  W.  L.  Hutchinson 28 

New  Jersey.     By  Superintendent  Franklin  Dye 29 

New  York.     By  Superintendent  F.  E.  Dawley 30 

Pennsylvania.     By  Superintendent  A.  L.  Martin 31 

Farmers'  institutes  in  Ontario.     By  Superintendent  G.  C.  Creelman 32 

Relation  of  agricultural  colleges  and  experiment  stations  to  farmers'  institutes. 

By  Superintendent  W.  L.  Hutchinson,  of  Mississippi 33 

I  discussion  of  Superintendent  Hutchinson's  paper .' 35 

Local  help  in  institutes.     By  Superintendent  W.  C.  Latta,  of  Indiana 36 

Discussion  of  Superintendent  Latta's  paper 38 

Best  method  of  publishing  results  of  institute  work.     By  H.  W.  Colling- 

wood,  of  the  Rural  New  Yorker 39 

Discussion  of  Mr.  Collingwood's  paper , 41 

Requisites  of  a  good  institute  worker.     By  Superintendent  F.  E.  Dawley,  of 

New  York 42 

How  to  interest  and  instruct  young  people  attending  institutes.     By  John  W. 

Spencer,  of  Cornell  University 42 

Relations  between  the  institutes  and  agricultural  associations.     By  Superin- 
tendent Franklin  Dye,  of  New  Jersey 44 

I  discussion  of  Superintendent  Dye's  paper 46 

Women's  institutes.     By  .Miss  Blanche  Maddock,  of  Canada 46 

Discussion  of  Miss  Maddock's  paper 49 

The  question  box  at  institutes.     By  Superintendent  W.  L.  Amoss,  of  Maryland .  49 

Discussion  of  Superintendent  Amoss' s  paper 50 

Correspondence   courses  in   agriculture.     By  John  Craig,  of  Cornell  Uni- 
versity    50 

Illustration  and  demonstration  work    at  institutes.      By  J.   C.  Curryer,   of 

Minnesota 52 

Index  of  names 55 

5 


OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION. 


dt  ut. 
W.  I..  Ajeoss,  of  Maryland. 

-  Presidt  nt. 
W.  L  Hutchinson,  oi  Mississippi. 

-7      tgurer. 
G.  C.  Creelman,  of  <  taitario. 

B  i  ■•  ,;  ■   ( '••/<<  nifl 
The   President,  and  the  Secretary-Treasurer,  •  Fkaxklin  Dye,  of  Xt-w 

Jersey;  C.  1».  Smith,  of  Michigan;  and  M.  F.  Grhblby,  of  South  Dakota. 

Mi  i,' 
Florida:  Sup:.  II.  K.  Stockbridge,  Lake  City. 
Indiana:  Supt  W.  C.  Latta.  Lafayette. 
[llinois:  Supt.  A.  B.  Hostetter,  Springfield. 
Maryland:  Supt.  W.  L.  Amoss,  CoUegt  Park. 
Michigan:  Supt.  C.  D.  Smith.  Agricultural  Oollt 
Minnesota:  Snpt  0.  C.  Gregg  rdy. 

Mississippi:  Snpt  W.  L.  Hutchinson,  Agricultural  College. 
Nebraska:  Snpt.  E.  A.  Burnett.  Lincoln. 
New  Jersey:  Supt.  Franklin  Dye,  Trenton. 
New  York:  Supt.  F.  K.  Dawley,  Me. 

Ontario:  Supt.  G.  C.  Creelman,  Toronto. 
Pennsylvania:  Supt.  A.  L.  Martin,  Harrisburg. 
Wis  8  rge  McKerrow,  Madii 


WORKERS    PRESENT    AT    BUFFALO. 

Michigan:  ('.  J.  Monroe,  South  Haven;  George  E.  Rowe.  Grand  Rapids. 

New  York:  Edwin  Van  Alstyne.  Exnderhook;  F.  A.  Converse, WoodviOe;  C.  J.  Stan- 
dart.  Buffalo;  Trot.  J.  \Y.  Spencer.  Ithaca;  Prof.  John  Craig.  Ithaca;  H.  W,  Ool- 
lingwood,  New  York;  W.  G.  Johnson.  New  Y<>rJ::  William  S.Myers.  New  York; 
James  S.  Meng,  New  York;  H.  E.  Cook,  Denmark;  G.  A-  Smith,  Geneva;  W.  W. 
Hall,  Gouverneur;  Mrs.  F.  A.  Taber,  Poughkeepsie. 

Nova  Scotia:  E.  B.  Elderkin. 

Ontario:  Dr.  James  Mills,  Guelph;  James  Stonehonse,  Guelph;  John  McMillan,  s 
/orfA;    A.   McNeill.  WalkerviHe;    W.   N.    Hutt.   Southend;    Henry   Glendenning, 
Manilla;  W.  8.  Fraser,  Bradford;  F.  A.  Sheppard,  QiKScnaton;  Robert  rhompson, 
S    '  .  T.  <t.  Raynor,  A'..-  fliitf;  Miss Blanche Maddock, Guelph;  Mr-.  A. 

Kinney.  Grand  View;  Ed.  Morden,  Niagara, 

Pennsylvania:  John  Hamilton,  Harrisburg. 

Wisconsin:  Ex-Governor  W,  D.  Hoard,  F<>rt  Atkinson;  W.  I..  CSarlyle,  Mod 
Irich,  Madison. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  ASSOCIATION. 


Aktk  i.i:    I. 

\  \MK. 


This  organization  shall  be  known  by  the  name. it"  The  American  Association  of 
Farmers'  Institute  Workers. 

Article   [I. 

OFFICEES. 

The  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  vice-president,  and  secretary-treasurer,  t<> 
be  elected  by  ballot. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Any  active  worker  in  the  fanners'  institutes  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  may 
become  a  regular  member  of  this  association  on  payment  of  the  annual  dues,  and  is 
entitled  to  one  vote.  A  delegate  member  representing  the  State  Farmers'  Institute 
organization  shall  be  admitted  from  each  State  and  Province,  on  compliance  with 
the  by-laws,  and  shall  be  entitled  to  cast  five  votes  on  any  question:  Provided,  That 
the  annual  membership  dues  of  the  person  shall  be  $1,  and  that  of  the  State,  $5. 

Article  IV. 


The  annual  dues  of  delegate  members  shall  be  $5  for  six  representatives  of  each 
State.     The  annual  dues  of  members  not  delegates  shall  be  $1. 

Article  V. 

TERM    OF    OFFICE. 

The  term  of  office  of  the  officers  of  this  association  shall  be  for  one  year  from  the 
1st  day  of  January  next  Following  their  election,  or  until  their  successors  are  elected. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

The  duties  of  the  officers  of  this  association  shall  be  those  usually  performed  by- 
officials  of  like  rank  in  similar  associations. 

Article  VII. 

ASSOCIATE    MEMBERS. 

Associate  members  of  this  organization  may  he  elected  from  time  to  time  upon  the 
presentation  of  their  names  by  some  member  of  the  association,  and  upon  their 
receiving  the  votes  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 

7 


Art*  ir.   VIIT. 

DUES    OF    ASSOCIATE    MEMBEKS. 

The  annual  dues  of  an  associate  member  sliall  be  $1. 

Article  IX. 

TOWER   OF    ASSOCIATE    MEMBERS. 

Associate  members  shall  be  entitled  to  sit  in  all  of  the  sessions  of  the  association 
and  to  take  part  in  all  discussions,  but  shall  have  no  vote. 

Article  X. 


This  association  sliall  have  power  to  make  by-laws  from  time  to  time  not  incon- 
sistent wit li  this  constitution. 

Article  XI. 

EXECUTIVE    COMMITTEE. 

There  shall  be  an  executive  committee  consisting  of  the  president  and  the  secretary- 
treasurer  of  this  association,  ex  officio,  and  three  other  members  to  be  elected  annually 
by  ballot,  who  shall  meet  at  the  call  of  the  president  and  have  charge  of  such  matters 
of  business  relating  to  the  association  as  it  shall  be  necessary  to  attend  to  in  the, 
interval  between  the  annual  meetings,  and  it  shall  be  their  duty  to  report  such 
action  as  they  may  take  to  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  association. 

Article  XII. 

CHANGE    IN    CONSTITUTION. 

This  constitution  shall  not  be  changed  except  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers at  a  regular  annual  meeting  held  one  year  from  the  date  on  which  the  proposed 
alteration  or  amendment  has  been  first  presented. 


BY-LAWS. 

(1)  The  time  of  meeting  of  this  organization  shall  be  fixed  by  the  association. 

(2)  Order  of  business: 

1.  Galling  the  roll  of  membership. 

2.  Reading  of  minutes  of  previous  meeting. 

3.  Admission  of  new  members. 

4.  Reports  of  committees. 

5.  Election  of  officers. 

6.  Appointment  of  committees. 

7.  Unfinished  business. 

8.  New  business. 

9.  Adjournment. 


HISTORICAL  NOTE 


The  necessity  for  an  organization  of  institute  workers  was  first  suggested  by 
Mr.  \l.  E.  A.  Leach,  of  Manitoba,  Canada.  This  met  with  a  cordial  response  from 
the  heads  of  the  institute  work  in  the  United  States  and  ( anada. 

The  organization  meeting  was  called  at  Watertown,  Wis.,  on  March  is,  L896.     There 

were  present  representatives  from  Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  Nebraska,  Michigan,  Illi- 
nois, and  Ohio.  The  name  then  chosen  for  the  organization  was  The  international 
Association  of  Farmers'  Institute  Workers,  which  was  afterwards  changed  to  The 
American  Association  of  Farmers'  Institute  Managers. 

The  next  meeting  was  held  at  the  Sherman  House,  Chicago,  on  October  14  and 
15,  1896,  with  twenty-nine  persons  in  attendance.  At  this  meeting  papers  wen- 
read  and  questions  relating  to  institute  work  were  discussed.  A  report  of  the  Water- 
town  and  Chicago  meetings  was  published  in  one  volume  by  the  secretary,  Mr.  F.  W. 
Taylor,  of  Lincoln,  Nebr.,  and  distributed  among  the  members. 

The  third  meeting,  which  was  really  the  second  annual  meeting,  was  held  at 
Columbus,  Ohio,  on  October  27  and  28, 1897.  At  this  meeting  the  secretary  reported 
that  seven  superintendents  were  present  and  about  fifty  representatives  from  various 
States  and  organizations.  A  report  of  this  meeting  was  published  early  the  following 
year,  and  contained  a  short  report  from  the  different  States  and  provinces  of  the 
United  States  and  Canada,  besides  many  practical  papers  and  spirited  discussions  on 
fanners'  institute  work. 

The  third  annual  meeting  was  held  in  Omaha  on  October  4  and  5,  1898.  There 
was  a  small  attendance  at  this  meeting,  and  no  report  has  been  published. 

In  1899  the  meeting  was  held  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  on  March  29  and  30.  This 
meeting  was  well  attended,  the  director  of  institutes  in  New  York  having  a  large 
number  of  institute  workers  assembled  in  Rochester  at  that  time.  At  this  meeting 
the  name  of  the  association  was  changed  to  The  American  Association  of  Farmers' 
Institute  Workers.  This  was  done  to  broaden  its  sphere  of  usefulness  and  to  allow 
the  men  who  are  actually  engaged  in  institute  fieldwork  to  take  a  more  active  inter- 
est in  the  work  of  the  association.  The  proceedings  of  this  meeting  were  published 
in  the  transactions  of  the  NewT  York  State  Agricultural  Society  and  Bureau  of  Farm- 
ers' Institutes  for  1898. 

In  1900,  on  March  15  and  16,  the  meeting  was  held  in  Delavan,  Wis.,  at  the  close 
of  the  State  "Round-up."  The  proceedings  of  this  meeting  were  published  in  the 
Wisconsin  Farmers'  Institute  Bulletin  No.  14  for  the  year  1900.  This  brings  the 
history  of  the  Association  up  to  the  present  year,  the  report  of  the  last  meeting  com- 
prising the  contents  of  this  volume. 

G.  C.  Creelmax, 

Secretary  of  Association. 
9 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  SIXTH  ANNUAL  MEETING  OF  THE  AMERICAN 
ASSOCIATION  OF  FARMERS'  INSTITUTE  WORKERS. 


ADDRESS  OF  WELCOME. 

By  F.  A.  Converse,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  8uperiniendent  of  TAve  Stock,  Pan-Arnerican 

Exposition. 

Mk.  President,  Ladies,  and  Gentlemen:  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  welcome  the 
representatives  of  this  work  from  so  many  States  and  Provinces,  because  I  realize 
from  practical  experience,  and  also  from  observation,  that  there  is  no  more  potent 
factor  along  the  line  of  agricultural  education  than  the  farmers'  institute.  It  has 
been  my  privilege,  since  my  connection  with  the  Pan-American  Exposition,  to  meet 
all  kinds  of  associations  and  workers,  and  I  may  say  to  you  that  in  all  the  States 
where  they  have  a  good  live  system  of  farmers'  institutes,  we  find  a  better  condition 
of  things  so  far  as  the  general  education  of  men  on  the  farms  is  concerned. 

1  would  like  to  call  your  attention  to  another  fact.  As  you  go  through  the  build- 
ings at  tin1  exposition  you  will  find  that  the  States  with  the  best  exhibits  and  best 
representatives  are  institute  States.  I  do  not  know  how  much  of  this  is  due  to  the 
gentlemen  whom  I  see  before  me,  but  it  is  a  thing  that  has  been  called  to  my  atten- 
tion time  and  time  again. 

My  pleasure  in  greeting  you  at  this  time,  however,  is  marred  by  the  recent  tragedy 
which  we  all  deplore,  especially  every  citizen  of  Buffalo,  as  the  President  was  the 
guest  of  the  exposition  at  the  time  he  gave  up  his  life.  It  is  to  my  mind  one  of 
the  most  horrible  tragedies  in  the  history  of  the  Republic. 

1  would  like  to  say  a  word  regarding  the  need  of  more  thorough  and  better  work 
along  the  line  of  the  farmers'  institute,  because  it  is  the  only  organization  which  is 
ready  to  take  information  to  the  class  of  people  who  need  it  most.  Agricultural  col- 
leges are  good;  experiment  stations  are  necessary;  but  men  that  you  can  not  get 
within  the  scope  of  these  two  institutions  can  be  reached  by  bringing  them  together 
and  disseminating  information  in  these  institutes.  Newspapers  cover  a  valuable 
field  and  are  a  splendid  hell),  but  the  rea>  way  to  help  is  by  getting  right  alongside 
the  farmer,  as  we  do  in  institute  work  in  our  States  and  Provinces. 

I  believe  the  successful  institute  worker  must  be  in  every  sense  a  man  of  affairs. 
He  must  be  well  versed  in  his  own  business.  I  have  known  cases  where  an  institute 
worker  has  not  made  his  own  business  a  success.  Sooner  or  later  the  public  get  to 
know  this,  and  as  soon  as  they  know  it  his  teaching  does  not  amount  to  anything. 
We  must  have  trained  men  for  institute  workers,  just  the  same  as  for  anything  else. 
We  must  have  men  who  are  able  to  stand  before  a  meeting  and  express  themselves 
intelligently  and  practically.  I  believe  it  to  be  the  best  thing  for  a  man  to  stick  to 
his  farm  while  in  institute  work.  Sometimes  a  man  leaves  the  farm  and  settles  in 
the  village  or  town.  He  soon  loses  touch  with  the  details,  and  the  man  who  remains 
on  the  farm  will  distance  him  every  time. 

Gentlemen,  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  on  behalf  of  the  exposition  to  welcome  you 
here.     I  hope  that  as  you  go  through  the  exposition  you  will  take  the  opportunity 

11 


12 

of  noting  the  interest  that  is  manifested  in  onr  work.  There  has  never  been  an 
exposition  that  has  done  more  for  agriculture  than  the  Pan-American.  Note  the 
agricultural  building.  Everything  has  been  done  that  could  be  done  with  the  means 
available  to  illustrate  in  the  agriculture,  dairy,  and  live-stock  divisions  those  things 
which  have  largely  been  the  results  of  the  teachings  of  the  gentlemen  before  me.  It 
is  not  necessary  to  go  into  particulars  regarding  the  various  exhibits  of  cattle,  live 
stock,  etc.,  from  the  various  States.  As  you  go  through  the  various  buildings  make 
yourselves  perfectly  free  to  gather  all  possible  information  that  will  help  you  in 
your  work. 

I  am  glad  of  this  opportunity  of  appearing  here  to  welcome  you,  and  wish  you 
Godspeed.  I  believe  the  success  of  American  agriculture  has  been  largely  due  to 
the  work  of  the  farmers'  institutes. 

RESPONSE  TO  ADDRESS  OF  WELCOME. 
By  James  Mills,  President  Agricuttural  College,  Guelph,  Canada. 

First  of  all,  allow  me,  as  a  Canadian,  to  unite  with  you  in  the  expression  of  our 
horror  at  the  basely  treacherous  and  diabolical  murder  of  the  President  of  your 
Republic.  Our  people  were  stunned  by  the  crime,  and  their  sympathy  with  you  is 
genuine  and  far-reaching.  Memorial  services  were  held  in  our  churches,  and  for  the 
last  three  or  four  days  flags  have  been  at  half-mast  all  over  the  country. 

Then,  Mr.  Converse,  on  behalf  of  the  farmers'  institute  workers  of  America, 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  the  Georgian  Bay  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  I  beg 
leave  to  assure  you  that  we  appreciate  your  welcome.  The  pleasure  of  a  visit, 
wherever  one  may  go,  depends  very  much  upon  the  heartiness  of  the  welcome,  and 
it  is  so  in  this  case.  "Welcome ever  smiles,"  says  Shakespeare,  and  Homer  declares 
that  "the  law  of  friendship  is  to  welcome  the  coming  and  speed  the  parting  guest." 

The  farmers'  institutes  of  the  State  of  New  York  represent  a  numerous  and  very 
important  body  of  workers,  men  and  women  who  are  contributing  a  large  share 
toward  the  enlightenment  and  progress  of  the  American  people.  We  may  not,  I 
presume,  speak  of  them  as  engaged  in  university-extension  work,  but  we  most  admit 
that  there  is  a  striking  resemblance  between  their  work  and  the  courses  of  extra- 
mural lectures  given  by  Oxford,  Cambridge,  and  other  great  educational  institutions. 
This  difference,  however,  is  to  be  noted:  University-extension  work  proper  is  mainly 
for  the  inhabitants  of  towns  and  cities;  the  work  of  farmers'  institutes  is  for  a  dif- 
ferent but  no  less  important  section  of  the  community. 

Already  the  farmers'  institutes  have  done  much  valuable  work: 

(1)  They  have  created  a  widespread  interest  in  agricultural  pursuits,  directing 
attention  everywhere  to  agriculture  in  its  different  branches,  agronomy,  horticulture, 
animal  husbandry,  poultry  raising,  bee  keeping,  and  dairying. 

(2)  By  systematic  and  repeated  instruction  and  discussion  on  the  question  of  meth- 
ods, covering  the  whole  field  of  agricultural  practice,  they  have  done  much  to 
increase  the  quantity  and  improve  the  quality  of  agricultural  products  from  north  to 
smith  throughout  the  States  and  Provinces  of  North  America. 

(3)  They  have  done  a  good  deal  toward  the  development  and,  in  many  eases,  the 
creation  of  a  respect  for  farmers  and  farming,  a  work  which  is  much  needed  among 
farmers  themselves. 

(4)  They  have,  perhaps,  done  something  toward  improving  farm  homes,  lighten- 
ing the  burden  upon  farmers'  wives,  and  brightening  the  surroundings  and  outlook  of 
boys  and  girls  on  the  farm. 

The  work  of  the  farmers'  institutes  is  education  on  practical  lines,  education  of  the 
best  possible  kind.  They  are  teaching  the  farming  community  to  observe,  read,  and 
think  for  themselves;  and  in  their  work  is  involved   the  whole  problem  of  produc- 


13 

tion.  The  requisites  of  production  are  land,  labor,  and  capital.  Wherever  w<-  may 
live,  our  natural  resources  <>!'  Boil,  climate,  etc.,  are  a  fixed  quantity.  We  can  not 
change  them.  By  applying  labor  to  land  or  raw  materials  we  produce  wealth.  Of 
w  hat  is  thus  produced,  we  Bave  some  for  use  in  further  production,  and  w  hat  is  saved 
we  call  capital.  Hence  the  amount  of  capital  clearly  depends  upon  the  ability  to 
produce  and  the  disposition  to  save.  In  other  words,  it  depends  on  the  industrial 
qualities  of  the  laborers.  So  the  problem  of  production  resolves  itself  into  the  prob- 
lem of  how  to  improve  the  industrial  qualities  of  the  people  h<>w  to  make  them 
more  industrious,  skillful,  progressive,  sober,  and  thrifty. 

In  an  international  competition,  such  as  you  have  at  your  Pan-American  Exposi- 
tion, what  is  the  main  factor  in  determining  the  awards  that  go  to  different  States 
and  Provinces?  Is  it  splendid  natural  resources?  Rich  soil  and  a  fine  climate?  I.s 
it  not  rather  the  industry  and  skill  of  the  people  w  ho  niter  into  t  he  coin  pet  it  ion  ?  It 
is  the  people  always,  everywhere,  ami  in  every  line  of  life.  Eence  the  greal  impor- 
tance of  the  work  done  by  the  farmers'  institutes,  which  labor  so  directly  and  effect- 
ively to  make  our  farmers  more  intelligent  and  skillful  workers  and  managers,  more 
progressive,  more  successful. 

Bui  the  farmers'  institutes  still  have  a  great  work  to  do.  Farmers  as  a  class  have 
many  virtues  and  some  vices,  or  rather  we  should  say,  many  strong  points  and  some 
weak  ones. 

In  brains  and  morals  farmers  surpass  all  other  classes;  they  are  the  most  brainy 
and  most  moral  people  in  the  country.  They  are  also  the  most  economical.  Where 
do  your  leaders  in  professional,  industrial,  and  commercial  life  come  from?  Is  it  not 
generally  from  the  farms  of  the  country?  We  need  not  speak  of  the  moral  stability 
and  economical  habits  of  farmers,  nor  of  their  many  other  virtues,  but  may  say  a 
word  about  some  of  their  weak  points. 

For  the  most  part  farmers  are  poor  business  men,  lacking  in  punctuality,  push,  and 
enterprise.  They  are  conservative,  apt  to  get  into  ruts,  follow  the  old  paths,  and  do 
pretty  much  as  their  fathers  did.  They  are  often  careless  about  their  personal 
appearance.  Hence  such  uncomplimentary  words  as  hayseed,  mossback,  etc.  The 
average  farmer  is  untidy  and  does  not  seem  to  notice  when  things  are  out  of  order. 
Hence  the  tumble-down,  zigzag  fences,  dead  brush  in  orchards,  sticks  and  stones  in 
dooryards,  ami  rails,  boards,  and  broken  or  worn-out  implements  around  farm 
buildings. 

I  hope  the  farmers'  institutes  may  yet  succeed  in  stirring  up  our  farmers  so  that 
they  will  all  see  the  importance  of — 

(1)  Observing,  reading,  and  thinking  for  themselves. 

(2)  Doing  everything  at  the  right  time. 

(3)  Cultivating  the  soil  so  thoroughly  as  to  get  rid  of  the  foul  weeds  which  at  present 
are  a  disgrace  to  farmers  here  and  there  all  over  the  country. 

(4)  Beautifying  their  farms  and  homes  by  planting  trees;  straightening  and  repair- 
ing fences;  removing  piles  of  stones  from  fields,  and  all  dead  trees,  dead  limbs,  and 
brush  from  orchards;  and  tidying  up  in  lanes,  in  yards,  and  around  farm  buildings. 

(5)  Being  wide  awake,  prompt,  and  up  to  date  in  the  business  of  the  farm. 

(6)  Being  particular  about  their  personal  appearance  and  the  appearance  of  their 
horses,  harness,  carriages,  etc.,  and  with  it  all  keeping  out  of  debt. 

Again  we  thank  you  for  your  kind  and  cordial  welcome. 

ANNUAL  ADDRESS  OF  THE  PRESIDENT. 

By  Superintendent  C.  D.  Smith,  of  Michigan. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Association:  In  No.  79  of  that  most  valuable  series  of  bulletins 
issued  by  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 
Professor  Bailey  has  given  an  account  of   the  history  of   the  institute  movement  so 


14 

clear,  succinct,  and  complete  thai  I  Deed  not  go  into  the  matter  at  all  od  this  occa- 
sion. The  bulletin  is  available  to  all  of  us,  and  is  invaluable  because  it  shows  to  each 
superintendent  what  is  being  done  in  states  other  than  his  own  and  thus  makes  pos- 
sible the  introduction  of  the  besi  ideas  worked  out  by  progressive  thinkers  along 
lines  of  rural  education. 

To  the  question,  In  what  way  are  the  fanners'  institutes  most  helpful  to  fanners? 
the  answer  is  not  easy.  That  the  institutes  have  come  to  stay  as  an  integral  part  of 
the  general  system  of  education  of  the  people  in  the  several  states  we  all  may  well 
claim;  that  the  inspiration  given  to  all  classes  of  fanners  when  they  listen  to  brother 
farmers  who  have  succeeded  financially  in  lines  of  farming  under  discussion  is  a 
most  important  gift  of  the  institute  is  also  apparent;*  that  the  simple  bringing 
together  of  the  farmers  and  their  families  in  a  meeting  where  the  fundamental 
principles  upon  which  their  vocation  rests  are  systematically  studied  is  of  immense 
benefit  to  the  neighborhood  is  equally  apparent.  The  benefits  accruing  from  the 
institutes  are  therefore  threefold — educational,  inspiring,  and  social. 

INSTITUTES    AS    AX    ELEMENT    IX    THE    EDUCATIONAL    SYSTEM. 

In  the  erection  of  a  modern  city  building  scaffolds  of  great  size  and  weight  have 
to  be  first  put  up  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  permanent  structure  of  brick  and  steel. 
When  the  building  is  completed  the  scaffolding  is  torn  down  and  thrown  away. 
Are  the  institutes  but  scaffolding,  or  are  they  to  remain  as  an  indispensable  element 
in  the  permanent  system  of  rural  education? 

In  the  first  place,  if  they  are  to  be  one  factor  in  a  general  educational  system  they 
must  have  a  well-defined  field  of  operations,  and  must,  at  the  same  time,  have  clearly 
defined  relations  to  the  other  factors  of  the  system.  The  field  of  operations  of  our 
work  is  not  as  well  defined  as  it  appears  at  first  thought.  It  is  true  that  we  are  to 
educate  the  farmers  in  the  elementary  principles  which  underlie  all  agricultural 
operations,  and  then  teach  them  to  apply  those  principles  to  the  solution  of  the 
problems  which  confront  them  to-day;  but  when  it  comes  to  giving  systematic 
instruction  in  general  principles,  we  are  met  with  difficulties  apparently  insurmounta- 
ble. The  institutes  come  but  once  each  year,  and  the  work  can  be  but  fragmentary 
at  best;  coherent  systematic  instruction  is  impossible  and  but  little  progress  can  be 
expected.  Shall  any  attempt  be  made  to  enlarge  in  this  direction  the  scope  of  what 
has  been  considered  the  real  and  legitimate  work  of  the  institutes? 

CALL    FOR    SPECIFIC    INSTRUCTION. 

Within  the  past  few  years  the  work  of  the  farmer  has  undergone  a  radical  change. 
The  decrease  in  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  incoming  of  new  diseases,  fungus,  bacterial, 
and  insect;  the  introduction  of  new  crops;  and,  above  all,  the  lower  prices  and  closer 
competition,  have  made  the  man  a  student  whether  he  would  or  not.  These  changed 
conditions  are  leaving  less  and  less  room  for  empiricism  and  are  making  more 
emphatic  the  demands  for  a  clear  understanding  on  the  part  of  the  fanner  of  the  life 
histories  of  the  diseases  afflicting  his  crops  and  of  rational  methods  of  soil  rejuvena- 
tion. My  argument  is  simply  that  the  institutes  must  take  hold  of  this  matter  of  a 
more  systematic  education  of  adult  farmers  along  practical  and  scientific  lines.  The 
common  school  has  done  what  it  could  for  them.  The  agricultural  colleges  throw- 
wide  their  doors;  but  the  busy  man  is  tied  too  closely  to  his  farm  to  allow  him  to 
avail  himself  of  the  opportunities  thus  offered.  The  agricultural  press  visits  his 
home  and  widens  his  horizon;  but  there  is  still  a  wide  field  left  for  the  institutes  in 
this  direction.  There  are  some  suggestions  that  I  have  to  make  on  this  phase  of 
the  institute  work. 

ANNUAL   INSTITUTE    BULLETIN. 

First,  in  the  annual  institute  bulletin  give  systematic  treatment  of  some  one  or  more 
topics  each  year.     For  instance,  this  year  take  the  subject  of  the  soil,  and  let  there 


IT) 

be  read  at  the  annual  State  institute  a  series  of  papers  connected  in  thoughl  on  the 
chemistry  of  the  soil,  Boil  bacteriology,  soil  physics,  etc.,  and  lei  there  be  a  Cull  and 
free  discussion  of  each  topic.  Print  these  papers  and  discussions  in  full  in  the  annual 
bulletin.  Next  year  take  plant  growth  a-  a  general  subject,  and  illustrate  plant 
physiology,  rool  systems,  and  the  general  laws  of  germination  and  growth.  I  Must  rate 
abundantly  in  the  bulletin. 

In  Michigan  we  gave  last  year  a  series  of  papers  <>n  the  soil,  and  this  year  we  follow 
with  lectures  by  eminent  botanists  "ii  roots  and  their  methods  of  absorbing  plant 
food.  We  shall  also  take  up  the  topic  of  stock  judging,  and  shall  publish  theaddn 
given  at  the  institutes,  fully  illustrating  them.  Expert  judges  of  horses,  cattle,  sheep, 
and  swine  were  present  at  the  round-up  institute,  judged  typical  animals  in  the  pres- 
ence of  the  audiences,  and  explained  as  far  as  possible  the  reasons  lor  their  decisions. 
The  publication  of  these  addresses  can  not  but  be  helpful  to  our  farmers  in  giving 
them  a  rational  method  of  selecting  animals. 

TEACHERS    AT    INSTITUTES. 

At  the  usual  county  institutes  lectures  on  technical  subjects  by  teachers  from 
colleges,  or  other  professional  men,  are  good  and  to  be  commended,  but  if  the  pro- 
gramme can  be  so  arranged  that  several  of  these  lectures  can  follow  one  another  in  logi- 
cal order,  the  value  is  increased  manifold.  Where  the  institute  is  continued  over  two 
days  the  plan  has  worked  well  to  have  a  lecturer  occupy  the  same  hour  on  the  two 
consecutive  days  on  a  continuation  of  the  same  topic.  If  special  institutes  are  held, 
devoted  entirely  to  matters  related  to  a  single  phase  of  farm  work,  such,  for  instance, 
as  fruit  growing  or  the  dairy,  a  series  of  lectures  may  be  arranged  that  will  give  a 
comprehensive  view  of  the  sciences  involved.  lam  glad  to  record  the  sue. 
such  special  institutes  in  our  State.  They  are  not  to  be  recommended  for  communi- 
ties not  prepared  for  them,  but  are  invaluable  in  localities  largely  devoted  to  a  single 
industry. 

CORRESPONDENCE   COURSES. 

Again,  with  every  institute  management  there  should  be  intimately  associated  a 
set  of  correspondence  courses  through  which  systematically  arranged  information  on 
scientific  subjects  may  be  disseminated.  Where  one-day  meetings  are  held  in  school- 
houses  in  districts  remote  from  the  centers  of  population,  followed  by  county  insti- 
tutes in  larger  places,  leading  in  turn  to  the  great  round-up  institute  of  the  year, 
there  is  a  unique  opportunity  to  impart  the  hunger  after  truth  among  the  farmers 
who  are,  from  their  situation,  deprived  of  opportunities  afforded  elsewhere.  Here 
the  correspondence  courses  find  their  first  place,  and  I  commend  to  your  attention 
the  possibilities  of  these  courses  when  managed  in  conjunction  with  your  institute 
work. 

The  farming  community  is  made  up  of  two  classes  of  men,  (1)  the  intelligent  and 
progressive,  and  (2)  the  conservative,  relatively  ignorant,  and  unprogressive.  We 
are  called  to  be  helpful  to  both  classes,  and  certainly  should  strive  rather  to  bring 
the  sinners  to  repentance  than  to  give  our  best  endeavors  to  the  fortunate  few  who 
Least  need  our  assistance.  To  reach  the  farmers  with  this  educational  work,  and 
especially  to  reach  those  whom  we  can  benefit  most,  we  must  go  to  them  in  their 
own  home  communities,  meet  them  in  small  assemblies  with  an  attractive  programme, 
carried  out  by  men  in  hearty  sympathy  with  their  lives  and  filled  with  the  spirit  of 
progress.  These  remote  communities  are  to  be  brought  in  touch  with  the  general 
educational  movement  in  the  State.  Can  they  not  be  aroused  to  an  actual  participa- 
tion in  this  work  by  the  farmers'  institutes?  Is  not  the  awakening  of  these  dormant 
communities  part  of  our  field  of  operations  and  a  part  of  the  field  that  should  not  be 
neglected? 

It  seems  to  me  that  that  superintendent  of  institutes  is  weak  who  neglects  this 
opportunity  of  benefiting  the  rural  community  because  he  finds  it  hard  to  interest 


16 

farmers  in  didactic  instruction.  J  admit  thai  it  is  hard  work  l<»  find  men  trained  in 
the  Bciencea  underlying  agriculture  who  have,  at  the  same  time,  the  gift  of  so  sweet- 
ening their  lectures  as  to  make  them  palatable  to  the  farmer  whose  mind  and  thought 
is  largely  on  the  commercial  Bide  of  his  vocation.  Every  college  professor  is  not  so 
blessed,  but  I  here  arc  to  be  found  in  every  Stat*-  men  who  are  in  such  close  sympathy 
with  the  Eeelinp  and  point  of  view  of  the  farmer  that  they  can  make  him  see  the  facts 
ot  nature  about  him  as  the  scientist  sees  them.  There  is  no  use  in  saying  that  while 
the  schools  and  colleges  may  teach  the  next  generation,  no  one  can  do  anything  for 
the  men  who  are  carrying  the  burden  of  the  day.  Insects  and  fungus  diseases  are 
not  going  to  wait  until  t lie  next  generation  shall  have  studied  their  life  histories; 
they  arc  attacking  us  now.  To  meet  their  attacks  we  must  educate  the  fanner  of 
to-day.  To  educate  him,  we  must  begin  at  the  beginning  and  give  him  the  general 
principles  thai  underlie  animal  and  plant  life  and  the  proper  treatment  of  the  soil. 

In  this  work  we  must  not  be  contented  with  small  things.  That  superintendent 
is  derelict  in  his  duties  who  does  not  accomplish  with  the  money  allotted  him  the 
greatest  amount  of  good.  The  measure  of  his  success  is,  first,  the  quality  of  work, 
and,  second,  the  number  of  people  reached.  Theory  and  preconceived  ideas  must 
not  hinder  him  from  making  his  work  touch  the  largest  number  of  farmers'  families 
possible. 

RELATION    OF   INSTITUTES   TO    AGRICULTURAL    COLLEGES. 

Tinning  now  from  a  consideration  of  the  proper  field  of  <  iperations  of  the  institutes, 
we  come  to  consider  their  relation  to  other  educational  forces.  First  among  these 
forces  comes  the  university  or  college  which  receives  the  benefits  of  the  Morrill  and 
Hatch  funds.  To  these  great  centers  of  agricultural  education  the  institutes  ought  to 
be  very  closely  related.  Most  fortunate  is  that  State  in  which,  though  supported  by 
separate  appropriations,  the  institutes  are  one  phase  of  college  extension.  I  know 
of  no  other  arrangement  by'which  the  work  can  be  as  well  and  economically  done. 
The  true  place  of  the  institutes  in  the  general  system  of  education  is  then  recognized 
and  assured,  and  permanent  plans  can  be  made  to  correlate  the  institute  work  with 
the  other  extension  work  of  the  college.  The  bulletins  from  the  station  are  for- 
warded to  each  institute  along  with  other  literature  concerning  the  college,  and  the 
number  of  farmers  benefited  by  the  results  of  the  experiments  is  greatly  increased. 
The  energies  of  young  people  attending  the  institute  are  directed  toward  farm  life 
and  the  increased  possibilities  of  farming  which  are  certain  to  come  to  young  people 
who  take  their  education  at  the  agricultural  college. 

It  is  still  impossible  for  the  great  bulk  of  young  people  on  the  farm  to  go  to  col- 
lege, even  for  a  special  course;  but,  through  the  institutes  and  attendant  correspond- 
ence courses,  the  instruction  given  at  the  college  along  practical  lines  may  be  carried 
to  the  farmers  in  their  own  homes. 

INSTITUTES    AND    THE    AGRICULTURAL    PRESS. 

Undoubtedly  the  most  cogent  educational  force  in  rural  communities  is  the  agri- 
cultural press.  It  goes  into  the  homes  of  the  citizen  and  exercises  its  influence  over 
every  member  of  the  family.  The  institutes  must  work  in  hearty  accord  with  this 
force.  As  full  reports  of  institute  meetings  as  possible  should  be  furnished  the 
influential  papers,  and  notices  of  coming  meetings  should  be  published  in  them.  At 
the  institutes  the  value  of  really  good  farm  papers  should  be  fully  and  unhesitatingly 
set  forth,  and  every  farmer  should  be  urged  to  take  them. 

The  great  weakness  of  the  agricultural  press  arises  from  the  fact  that  the  editor 
can  not  know  personally  his  correspondents.  It  requires  no  unusual  skill  on  the 
part  of  a  ready  writer  to  prepare  a  series  of  articles  on  practical  topics.  These 
articles,  not  being  based  on  experience,  are,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  worthless. 
They  do  not  carry  upon  their  face,  however,  the  evidence  of  their  own  weakness. 


17 

Whole  volumes  of  such  plausible  articles  are  foisted  upon  an  unsuspecting  public  every 
month.  May  nol  the  institutes  be  of  value  in  ridding  the  newspapers  of  these  pests? 
Neither  a  prophet  nora  farmer  who  makes  uo  profits  is  honored  in  hie  own  neigh- 
borhood. It  seems  to  me  thai  it  is  well  for  a  superintendent  of  institutes  to  get  in 
close  touch  with  the  editors  of  papers  having  large  circulation  in  bis  State  and  aid 
them  in  hoeing  out  the  weeds.  There  are  also  a  dozen  ways  in  which  the  alert 
superintendent  of  institutes  can  utilize  the  weekly  paper  in  advancing  his  work. 
Each  year  there  will  he  some  particular  topic  that  he  wants  to  emphasize  in  his 
series  of  institute  meetings.  The  more  this  topic  is  discussed  in  the  press  the  more 
interest  will  be  taken  in  it  at  the  institute.  When  be  finds  that  wrong  impressions 
exist  as  to  certain  phases  of  the  subject  he  can  correct  these  through  the  newspapers. 
The  local  papers  may  be  made  an  important  aid  in  institute  work.  The  influence 
of  a  well-conducted  local  newspaper  is  dominant  in  the  locality.  I  make  it  a  prac- 
tice to  furnish  articles  to  these  local  papers  and  aid  them  in  every  way  possible  to 
fill  their  columns  with  material  that  will  help  the  farmers.  Whenever  a  bulletin  in 
issued  by  the  experiment  station  a  brief  epitome  of  its  salient  features  is  furnished 
the  editors  of  the  local  papers,  who  are  ready  and  anxious  to  give  it  circulation.  A 
new  industry  springs  up  in  a  given  neighborhood.  As  superintendent  of  institutes  I 
write  a  frank  and  fearless  article  to  the  local  papers,  showing  up  the  advantages  and 
disadvantages  of  the  industry,  and  refer  to  the  work  of  the  institutes  the  following 
season  for  a  discussion  of  the  matter.  The  cordial  support  of  the  editor  should  he 
elicited,  and  his  influence  should  he  recognized  by  consulting  him  as  to  the  pro- 
gramme, and  especially  seeing  to  it  that  he  does  the  local  printing.  As  full  reports 
of  the  institute  meetings  as  possible  are  furnished  him,  and  notice  is  given  at  the 
institute  meeting  that  such  reports  of  the  proceedings  will  appear  in  subsequent 
editions. 

INSTITUTES    AM)    FAKMEHs'    OEGANIZATIONS. 

There  is  much  hope  for  that  farmer  who  has  so  far  advanced  as  to  consent  to  unite 
with  bis  fellows  in  maintaining  a  grange  or  club.  It  indicates  a  stage  of  advance- 
ment in  rural  intelligence  which  rinds  expression  in  very  many  ways.  In  Michigan 
the  institute  worker  knows  before  the  close  of  the  first  session  whether  there  is  a  live 
club  or  grange  in  the  village  where  the  institute  is  held.  It  is  wise  to  recognize  this 
movement  and  work  with  it.  It  may  not  be  wise  in  locating  an  institute  in  a  given 
county  to  consult,  officially,  the  executive  officers  of  the  local  organization,  but  it  is 
certainly  advantageous  to  interest  the  club  or  grange  as  a  body  in  the  welfare  of  the 
institute.  In  Michigan  in  future  we  shall  take  official  cognizance  of  these  local  farm- 
ers' organizations  and  shall  utilize  the  work  they  are  doing  in  our  institute  system. 
They  are  doing  a  great  work  in  educating  the  farmer  in  technical  phases  of  his  work. 
They  do  much  to  elevate  the  intellectual  atmosphere  of  the  rural  neighborhoods  and 
far  more  to  make  delightful  the  social  life.  They  are  cogent  forces  because  they 
touch  all  the  members  of  the  family.  The  men,  women,  and  children  all  find  their 
places  in  the  grange  and  club.  The  institute  does  well  to  follow  their  example  in 
this  regard. 

The  question  arises  at  this  point  as  to  the  advisability  of  separate  sections  for 
women.  In  Michigan  the  matter  has  been  very  thoroughly  canvassed  with  no  very 
decisive  results.  Two  years  ago  the  call  was  universal  for  these  separate  sections. 
Last  year  a  large  minority  of  the  counties  preferred  a  woman  on  the  general  pro- 
gramme. The  thought  was  that  all  the  topics  relating  to  the  home  should  be  treated 
where  all  the  members  of  the  family  meet.  I  can  report  that  this  change  in  senti- 
ment is  now  well  marked,  and  for  the  coming  campaign  there  will  be  a  majority  of 
the  counties  in  the  list  desiring  to  have  a  portion  of  one  session,  at  least,  set  aside  to 
household  topics  discussed  by  a  competent  woman  sent  there  by  the  State.  This 
seems  to  me  to  be  the  natural  and  inevitable  trend.     The  institute  is  doing  but  half 

U024— No.  110—02 2 


18 

its  good,  covering  bul  half  its  legitimate  territory,  if  it  does  no!  recognize  the  part 
played  by  women  on  the  farm,  and,  regarding  the  family  as  a  unit,  all  these  matters 
ought  to  be  discussed  in  the  general  sessions,  since  all  the  members  of  the  family 
are  interested  in  them. 

LOCAL   SPEAKERS. 

Without  the  cooperation  of  fairly  strong  local  organizations  it  may  he,  and 
undoubtedly  is,  dangerous  to  place  upon  the  programme  many  local  speakers.  Where, 
however,  the  superintendent  has  representatives  in  each  institute  center  whom  he  can 

trust,  the  introduction  of  local  talent  is  the  life  of  the  institute.  With  well-informed 
State  speakers  to  correct  wrong  statements  and  wrong  inferences  with  tact  but  with 
truth,  the  danger  from  that  source  is  largely  eliminated.  The  easiest  way  to  manage 
institutes  is  to  allow  no  part  to  the  local  people  either  in  planning  the  meeting,  adver- 
tising it,  selecting  speakers,  furnishing  part  of  the  programme,  or  doing  anything  else 
than  to  come  to  the  meetings  and  .sit  like  empty  pitchers  to  be  filled  l>v  the  wisdom 
imported  from  parts  unknown  and  largely  going  back  to  the  same  parts.  Butlfirmly 
believe  that  the  world  is  rapidly  outgrowing  that  system.  It  does  require  more  tact 
to  successfully  manage  the  matter  of  local  assistance  than  to  eliminate  it  altogether, 
but  the  results  do  not  justify  such  elimination.  "With  grangers  and  farmers'  clubs 
training  men  continually  both  to  think  correctly  and  to  put  their  thoughts  into 
intelligible  and  forceful  language,  it  is  an  insult  to  the  good  sense  of  the  people  to 
assume  that  all  knowledge  is  bound  up  in  the  speakers  sent  out  by  the  State. 

INSPIRATION    AT   THE    INSTITUTES. 

We  have  been  considering  the  institutes  as  one  medium  of  disseminating  informa- 
tion to  the  farmer  and  his  family.  They  have  another  function,  namely,  to  arouse 
enthusiasm  and  to  inspire  with  courage  and  hope.  The  means  to  this  end  are  the 
introduction  on  the  programme  of  farmers  who  have  succeeded  financially  and  in  other 
ways  on  their  own  farms.  As  it  is  hard  to  get  scientific  men  in  close  touch  with 
farm  life,  so  it  is  hard  to  get  farmers  who  understand  the  reasons  upon  which 
methods  are  founded,  and  who  will  not  be  led  away  by  theory.  No  programme 
seems  complete  to  me  without  the  appearance  of  the  name  of  some  thoroughly 
trained  scientist.  Neither  is  any  programme  complete  without  the  name  of  some 
wide-awake,  progressive,  enthusiastic,  successful,  and  truth-telling  farmer.  It  is  at 
this  point  that  the  highest  skill  of  the  superintendent  is  called  for.  He  will  not 
appoint  for  institute  work  a  farmer  whose  farm  he  has  not  visited  in  person  or  by 
proxy.  The  press  may  be  imposed  upon  by  articles  written  by  men  more  successful 
with  the  pen  than  with  the  plow,  but  there  is  no  excuse  for  the  man  who  controls 
the  institutes.  He  has  the  opportunity  to  assure  himself  that  the  men  who  appear 
on  the  platform  knowT  whereof  they  speak  by  actual  experience  on  the  farm.  As 
soon  as  the  farmers  of  the  State  realize  this  fact  their  faith  in  the  institute  movement 
is  doubled,  at  least  that  is  the  experience  in  Michigan. 

At  the  stage  of  development  reached  in  Michigan,  it  seems  to  be  safe  to  put  these 
carefully  selected  farmers  on  the  programme  for  the  major  part  of  the  addresses.  By 
keeping  these  men  in  close  sympathy  with  college  work,  and  having  them  well 
posted  on  recent  agricultural  literature,  it  is  possible  to  avoid  in  a  very  large  degree 
the  sources  of  error  which  have  heretofore  marred  the  force  of  our  institute  work. 

VALUE    OF    ONE-DAY    MEETINGS. 

If  we  are  to  reach  the  great  bulk  of  the  farming  community  we  must  consent  to 
hold  meetings  in  schoolhouses  and  grange  halls,  in  sections  most  remote  from  intel- 
lectual centers.  This  is  missionary  work  pure  and  simple,  and  brings  no  immediate 
reward  in  large  audiences  and  apparent  enthusiasm,  yet  I  firmly  believe  that  the 
most  important  work  of  the  institutes  is  developing  along  this  line.     With  the  local 


19 

institute  organization  in  each  section  oi  the  state  or  Province,  with  officers  who  are 
alert  to  find  the  places  in  their  jurisdiction  where  the  work  is  mosl  needed,  and  where 
it  will  at  least  be  tolerated,  if  not  welcome,  il  is  not  difficult  to  place  for  the  cam- 
paign all  the  work  which  the  fluids  appropriated  will  allow.  To  these  one-day 
institutes  l»ut  one  man  need  go,  Du{  he  should  be  the  m-vy  besl  teacher  obtainable,  a 
man  well  versed  in  both  t  he  theory  ami  the  practice  of  agriculture,  and  a  man  who 
at  the  same  time  has  the  ahi lit\  to  win  tin-  confidence  of  such  hearers  as  would  be 

likely  to  present  themselves  at  such  a  meeting. 

THE   TWO-DAY    MEETING. 

The  two-day  county  institutes  are  related  to  the  one-day  meetings  as  the  high 
school  is  to  the  common  schools  of  the  country.  To  these  institutes  a  corps  of  at 
lea>t  two  men  and  one  woman  should  go.  Here  the  programme  and  discussions  are 
more  advanced  in  kind  and  degree.  The  inertia  of  years  of  successful  institute  work 
carries  the  two-day  meeting  to  a  successful  point  of  helpfulness  to  the  whole  county. 

THE   STATE   ROUND-UP    INSTITUTE. 

Experience  leads  me  to  recommend  without  hesitation  the  plan  of  holding  one 

(•(Mitral  institute  at  the  close  of  the  season,  to  be  attended  by  delegates  from  each 
county.  With  a  carefully  selected  audience,  such  as  a  meeting  of  this  kind  calls 
together,  it  is  possible  to  discuss  matters  more  fully  and  to  carry  the  instruction  to 
a  higher  plane  than  would  be  wise  to  attempt  in  an  ordinary  two-day  meeeting. 
The  simple  meeting  of  people  from  widely  different  parts  of  the  State  arouses  enthu- 
siasm and  brings  instruction.  It  is  the  college  of  institute  work,  indispensable  to 
the  completeness  of  the  system.  Here  the  workers  from  all  parts  of  the  State  assem- 
ble, and  here  between  sessions  of  the  institute  the  workers  are  instructed  in  the 
technique  and  art  of  presenting  matters  on  the  platform  and  are  put  in  the  way  of 
learning  the  defects  of  their  own  preparation  and  the  measures  to  be  taken  to  remedy 
the  defects.  Here,  too,  there  assemble  from  all  parts  of  the  State  the  officers  of  the 
local  societies,  and  discussions  sharp  and  vigorous  take  place  on  methods  of  manag- 
ing the  local  part  of  the  institute  business.  Such  topics  present  themselves  as 
methods  of  advertising — ways  of  interesting  all  parts  of  the  community,  old  and 
young,  townspeople  and  farmers,  men,  women,  and  children.  If  some  local  secre- 
tary has  hit  upon  a  scheme  which  works  admirably  in  his  locality,  his  experience 
is  known  to  all  secretaries  in  attendance,  to  be  used  as  far  as  applicable  in  other 
and  distant  parts  of  the  State.  Here  friendships  are  formed  between  the  superin- 
tendent and  the  people  through  whom  he  works.  Here  the  people  feel  that  the 
institutes  are  not  a  thing  apart  from  them,  foisted  upon  them  by  some  outside  force, 
but  a  work  of  their  own,  in  which  they  have  an  essential  part,  and  a  work  worthy 
of  their  best  endeavors.  This  feeling  is  carried  home  with  him  by  every  secretary, 
and  the  man  becomes  a  center  of  helpfulness  and  progress  in  his  community.  I 
know  of  no  other  way  in  which  the  institute  movement  can  so  quickly  and  thoroughly 
make  itself  a  part  of  the  life  of  the  State  as  by  holding  these  annual  State  meetings, 
to  which  access  is  made  easy  and  cheap  by  securing  half  rates  on  the  railroads  and 
reduced  prices  at  hotels,  and  where,  by  careful  foresight  on  the  part  of  the  super- 
intendent, causes  of  annoyance  and  disquiet  are  removed.  In  Michigan  I  find  peo- 
ple all  over  the  State  planning  for  months  ahead  to  attend  the  State  institute;  and 
for  months  after  it  occurs  discussions  of  statements  made  there  are  found  in  the 
columns  of  the  local  and  metropolitan  papers. 

In  the  details  of  planning  the  campaign  for  the  coming  season  the  State  institute 
fills  an  important  place.  It  occurs  at  the  close  of  our  season,  and  reports  are  made 
as  to  the  quality  of  the  work  in  the  various  counties  and  changes  that  ought  to  be 
made  to  improve  the  service.  Speakers  are  chosen  for  the  following  winter,  or  at 
least  topics  are  suggested  for  the  programme.     The  county  secretaries  come  fresh  from 


20 

the  u«»rk  and  know  what  their  respective  ••'•unties  need  and  will  value  most.  Then 
follows  a  free  discussion  of  the  details  of  the  work,  even  to  the  poinl  of  criticism  of 
individual  speakers.  From  these  discussions  comes  an  amount  of  information  as  to 
future  plans  thai  is  invaluable. 

A  glance  at  the  programme  wains  me  that  hut  thirty  minutes  is  allowed  fortius 
address.  I  have  fell  compelled  to  spend  Borne  time  in  discussing  these  matters  of 
seeming  detail,  because  there  is  not  a  unanimity  of  opinion  upon  them  in  the  differ- 
ent States.  I  trust  that  in  the  sessions  of  this  meeting  we  shall  confine  ourselves  to 
methods,  assuming  thai  we  are  agreed  upon  general  principles.  The  value  of  this 
association  to  each  delegate  will  be  confined  to  the  knowledge  he  gets  at   its  annual 

meetings  of  better  methods  in  use  in  other  States  and  the  friendships  he  shall  make 
with  others  in  the  same  line  of  work. 

The  programme  names  a  series  of  topics,  the  consideration  of  which  can  not  hut  he 
helpful  to  every  one  of  us,  and  I  sincerely  hope  that  this  meeting  of  the  association 
may  be  productive  of  Lasting  good  to  the  advance  of  the  rural  interest-  of  America. 


RELATION  OF  THE  INSTITUTE  TO  OUR  INDUSTRIAL  POPULATION. 
By  W.  D.  Hoard,  <>(  Wisconsin. 

For  me  to  make  an  address  at  a  gathering  Like  this  is  something  like  a  private 
soldier  making  an  address  to  generals. 

Ever  since  the  formation  of  the  farmers'  institutes  J  have  been  greatly  interested. 
1  have  seen  many  misconceptions  on  the  part  of  both  the  people  and  the  institute 

workers;  but  the  institute  is  not  "a  sinner  above  all  who  dwell  in  Jerusalem"  in 
that  particular. 

Did  you  ever  see  a  log  jam?  Ten  thousand  logs  are  floating  down  stream;  sud- 
denly one  gets  caught,  and  they  are  all  tied  up.  They  must  be  loosened.  It  is  a 
thrilling  piece  of  work,  because  it  is  exceedingly  dangerous.  A  man  isselected  to  go 
out  and  climb  over  that  tangle  of  logs  and  in  some  way  loosen  the  key  log;  that  is, 
the  one  which  holds  the  others  back. 

The  key  log  to  be  removed,  if  possible,  from  this  jam  of  agricultural  education 
among  the  people — whether  we  find  it  in  the  farmers'  institute,  the  agricultural 
college,  the  agricultural  press,  or  any  of  the  other  agencies  which  are  trying  to  enter 
into  the  heart  and  mind  of  the  farmer  for  the  promotion  of  his  best  interest  and  the 
enlargement  of  his  understanding — is  intellectual  apathy  on  his  part.  The  key  to 
improving  agriculture  any  place  in  the  world  is  its  intellectualization. 

Stop  a  moment  and  see  what  the  farmer  is.  His  eye  is  on  his  work,  lb' must 
depend  on  his  eye.  He  has  never  trained  his  intellectual  perception  in  any  other 
way  than  by  seeing  a  thing.  He  can  not  turn  to  the  printed  page  and  from  it  gain 
what  he  wants,  and  go  and  put  it  in  practice.  You  may  gain  an  idea  of  this  by 
taking  three  boys — John,  William,  and  James.  The  farmer  says  I  will  make  a 
farmer  of  John,  and  a  lawyer  of  William.  Xow  the  farmer  perceives  that  if  William 
is  to  be  a  lawyer  he  must  have  his  intellectual  perception  trained  and  enlarged,  and 
SO  he  sends  him  to  school.  He  surrounds  him  at  once  with  an  intellectual  environ- 
ment, and  William  is  trained  to  go  to  a  book  and  see  principles  there,  and  then  go 
and  work  them  out.  It  is  simply  enlarging  his  intellectual  perception  that  he  may 
learn  from  the  printed  page  something  of  which  he  can  make  practical  use  in  the 
practical  work  of  his  life.  But  what  of  John,  the  prospective  farmer?  Does  the 
father  say  to  himself,  "John  wants  some  intellectual  enlargement  and  sharpening  of 
his  perception  in  order  that  he  may  derive  knowledge  from  what  is  printed  and 
from  what  he  hears  in  his  converse  with  men  of  thought?"  Oh.  no.  He  goes  to 
the  farm  as  his  fathers  have  done  for  generations,  knowing  and  learning  from  what 
is  and  not  from  what  he  reads  or  hears. 


21 

In  n<>  period  of  history  lias  the  intellectual  thought  of  the  agricultural  cla 
been  Btirred  ae  il  is  to-day,  and  therefore  we  sec  Bpringing  up  on  every  side  these 
agencies  which  ate  at  work  to  stir  the  tanner  out  of  his  intellectual  apathy.  Now. 
the  farmer  can  not  travel,  because  he  is  a  tanner.  He  must  stay  on  the  Eanri  prac- 
tically three  hundred  and  sixty-five  days  in  the  year.  He  has  not  been  trained  as 
the  lawyer  and  doctor  to  see  what  they  see  and  then  put  his  observations  in  practice. 
Ii  he  can  not  see  things,  it  is  generally  of  no  use. 

1  have  for  a  number  of  years  been  trying  to  work  <>ut  the  truth  concerning  alfalfa. 
Most  men  in  Wisconsin  are  skeptical  aboul  alfalfa,  hut  I  believed  the  reason  it  'li<l 
not  succeed  was  because  we  did  not  know  enough  aboul  it,  we  did  not  understand  its 
habit  and  growth.  Ami  BO  I  have  had  experiment  plats  on  my  farm,  and  have  had 
the  most  interested  l<>t  of  visitors  you  ever  saw.     Why'.'     Because  they  could  see  it. 

The  farmers'  institute  work  is  a  tremendous  agency.  Let  me  enlarge  on  this  one 
thought.  You  do  not  begin  to  know  what  a  mighty  engine  you  have  for  the  moving 
of  the  intellectual  convictions  of  the  agricultural  thought,  and  when  you  move  that 
you  move  the  whole  electric  machinery  up  to  the  President  You  have  a  grand 
agency  hen-  in  coming  together.  You  need  unity;  you  need  to  he  agreed  as  to  what 
you  are  to  do.  And  you  have  large  lines.  There  is  one  line  that  I  want  you  to  pay 
attention  t<>  as  farmers'  institute  workers  all  over  the  United  States.  I  want  you  to 
move  with  irresistible  force  and  power  toward  the  employment  of  the  common 
school  for  teaching  the  element-  of  agriculture.  You  can  not  do  anything  with  the 
old  farmer.  Something  must  he  done  for  the  young  farmer.  What  shall  we  do'.' 
I  thank  heaven  we  have  done  something  in  Wisconsin.  We  have  vr"t  the  educational 
force  of  tin'  State  moving.  We  have  got  the  State  superintendent  enthusiastic,  and 
we  are  moving  right  along  in  the  line  of  enlarging  the  work  of  the  teachers.  You 
have  a  grand  work  in  that  line.  You  will  do  more  for  the  intellectuali/ing  of  the 
agricultural  mind  if  you  will  take  hold  of  the  educational  force  of  the  State  and 
begin,  not  to  look  toward  the  university,  hut  toward  the  common  school.  As  insti- 
tute workers  we  must  convince  the  fanner  that  the  teaching  of  agricultural  subjects 
in  our  common  school-  is  a  practical  thing.  He  does  not  believe  it.  He  stands  firm 
as  a  p<>>t.  The  teacher  does  not  believe  it  because  the  average  teacher  does  not  know 
enough.  You  ask  why  the  hoy  leave-  the  farm  and  goes  to  the  city.  It  is  because 
it  is  a  simpler  life.  It  is  twice  as  easy  to  make  a  success  in  the  city  as  on  the  farm. 
The  hoy  lea\e.- the  farm  because  he  knows  he  does  not  know  enough  to  farm  suc- 
cessfully. The  teacher  knows  he  does  not  know  enough  to  teach  agriculture,  and 
the  farmer  believes  no  one  knows  enough  to  teach  it,  not  even  in  the  agricultural 
colleges.  But,  believe  me.  skepticism  leads  to  the  temple  of  truth.  I  tell  you  in 
this  case,  the  way  to  unlock  the  log  jam  is  for  the  institute  force  to  take  up  this  quec- 
tion  of  teaching  the  elements  of  agriculture  in  the  common  school.  Be  patient;  we 
are  moving  a  great  body. 

T  always  notice  that  the  farmer  is  willing  to  listen  to  the  man  who  demonstrates. 
For  instance,  la-t  year  T  built  a  new  barn  according  t««  my  best  judgment,  after  visit- 
ing about  2,000  barns  in  the  United  States  in  the  past  ten  years.  Since  then  there 
has  been  a  regular  pilgrimage  there.  Men  come  from  all  near-by  sections  to  see  it. 
In  institute  work  you  need  more  demonstration  if  possible.  Take  along  some  simple 
things  to  illustrate  with.  You  need  these  demonstrations  because,  a-  I  have  said, 
you  are  dealing  with  men  who  can  not  learn  from  the  printed  page,  but  can  readily 
adapt  what  they  see.  If  the  farmer  could  travel  he  would  educate  himself,  for  edu- 
cation i-  travel.  In  reaching  these  men  who  are  dull,  stolid,  and  apathetic,  and  who 
lo  not  study.  I  believe  you  have  two  objective  points — one,  as  much  demonstration 
as  possible,  the  other  teaching  the  elements  of  agriculture  to  the  children. 

I  said  to  one  of  the  professors  at  Yale  last  winter.  '"We  need  so  badly  a  simple 
text-book  on  botany:  something  the  farmer  can  read  and  understand.  Can't  you 
give  us  some  practical  hook  that  will  take  up  the  botany  of  the  farm   plants  and 


22 

woods?"  T  was  struck  with  the  sincerity  of  the  man  when  he  said,  "No;  I  do  not 
knew  enough."  I  have  learned  much  about  the  clover  plant  by  observation,  but  it 
would  have  been  grand  if  I  could  have  gone  to  some  book  and  got  it.  Why  can't 
wc  have  Borne  of  our  common  plants  analyzed  in  ample  botany?  Agriculture  is 
standing  and  pleading  at  the  doors  of  the  universities  for  agricultural  information 
that  the  people  can  understand.  1  appeal  to  the  agricultural  colleges  of  the  United 
State-.  Can't  we  have  something  taught  that  the  people  can  understand?  The 
farmers'  institute  stands  between,  where  it  can  move  the  educational  people  on  the 
one  hand  and  bring  the  farmers  up  to  it  on  the  other. 

I  can  not  hear  to  go  to  my  grave  until  I  Bee  imparted  to  my  nation  this  spirit  that 
shall  make  agriculture  not  only  the  support  of  the  men's  bodies,  hut  an  inspiration  to 
their  intellects.  The  fanner  to-day  i-  the  subject  of  contempt,  except  theoretically. 
You  find  that  young  men  have  a  contempt  for  labor;  they  seek  education  that  they 
may  net  along  without  labor,  not  for  the  enlargement  of  their  power.  So  it  seem-  to 
me  this  great  agricultural  work  must  be  united  and  have  for  its  purpose  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  perception  and  judgment  of  men. 

There  is  a  wide  lapse  between  what  we  talk  and  what  we  do.  When  I  am  in  my 
office  I  can  run  that  work  without  an  effort,  but  when  I  am  on  the  farm  I  am  sur- 
rounded by  the  vicissitudes  with  which  God  Himself  is  surrounded,  and  am  in  the 
domain  of  infinity.  I  do  not  wonder  that  the  farmers  feel  that  the  men  who  teach 
agriculture  do  not  begin  to  see  the  difficulties  that  surround  him. 

I  left  Madison  County,  X.  Y..  forty-rive  years  ago,  and  now  I  return  to  see  the 
sunken  brain  and  farm  land  in  like  condition.  Just  as  the  brain  of  New  York  farm- 
ers has  gone  down,  so  has  gone  down  the  value  of  farm  land;  the  one  has  kept  pace 
with  the  other.  There  has  not  been  any  importation  and  the  boys  have  left  the  farm. 
In  Wisconsin  the  German  farmer  has  come  in,  rilled  with  the  wisdom  of  his  own 
land,  and  we  have  started  him  on  the  farm  and  held  him  there.  To-day  the  average 
value  of  the  farm  in  Wisconsin  is  constantly  on  the  rise.  But  when  the  German 
farmer  boys  begin  to  desert  the  farm  then  will  set  in  the  same  condition  of  things  as 
you  have  in  New  York  State. 

I  believe  the  key  lies  in  the  common  school,  not  the  agricultural  college.  The 
beginning  of  things  is  at  the  agricultural  college;  the  ending  may  be  there  ate 


THE    RELATION     OF    THE    UNITED     STATES    DEPARTMENT    OF 
AGRICULTURE  TO  FARMERS'  INSTITUTES. 

By  A.  C.  True.  Director  of tiu  Office  of  Experiment  Stations,  Washington,  1>.  < '. 

I  am  much  interested  in  what  I  have  just  heard.  It  seems  to  me  that  ex-Governor 
Hoard  has  a  very  clear  and  well-defined  comprehension  of  the  situation  we  are  in 
with  reference  to  agricultural  education  in  this  country. 

We  have  a  good  system  of  agricultural  colleges  and  experiment  stations.  l>ut 
beyond  that  we  have  not  gone  a  great  way  in  providing  for  the  education  of  the 
fanners.  These  two  institutions  to  which  I  have  referred  are  properly  the  crown  and 
summit  of  the  educational  system,  which  should  include  agriculture,  but  they  are 
not  intended  to  meet  the  entire  educational  needs  of  the  agricultural  population.  It 
was  necessary,  under  the  circumstances  hitherto  existing  in  this  country,  that  we 
should  begin  our  system  of  agricultural  education  with  the  agricultural  college  and 
the  experiment  station.  But  we  should  not  stop  there,  and  it  is  evident  we  are  not 
going  to  do  e 

The  fanners'  institute  is  becoming  a  great  force  for  the  education  of  adult  farmers, 
and  1  think  is  destined  to  achieve  yet  greater  things.  It  is  comparatively  a  short 
time  since  institutes  have  been    held  with  any  regularity,  except  in  a  few  States. 


23 

The  question  of  the  introduction  of  agricultural  education  into  the  lower  schools 
is  also  beginning  to  attract  attention.  The  movement  is  a  hopeful  one,  and  I 
trust  it  will  not  I**-  long  before  we  shall  Bee  the  introduction  of  the  teaching  of  agri- 
culture in  some  form  iii  our  public  schools.  With  reference  to  the  fanners'  institutes 
and  the  teaching  of  agriculture  in  the  schools,  the  Department  at  Washington  has 
done  comparatively  little.  There  are  causes  for  this  into  which  I  ueed  not  enter. 
You  know  how  rapidly  this  Department  has  grown  in  the  last  feu  year-.  The  work 
has  spread  so  fast  that  we  have  scarcely  Keen  able  to  keep  up  with  the  enterprises 
already  inaugurated. 

Secretary  Wilson  is  greatly  interested  in  the  farmers'  institutes.  We  have  already 
done  a  little  in  the  way  of  publications  on  this  subject,  but  we  want  to  do  a  great 
deal  more,  and  that  is  our  intention  and  hope.  In  order  to  work  we  must  have 
funds,  and  it  is  the  intention  of  Secretary  Wilson  in  his  forthcoming  report  to  urge 
that  an  appropriation  be  made  at  the  next  session  of  Congress  for  work  in  connection 
with  the  farmers'  institutes.  It  seems  to  me  that  the  Department  may  properly  do 
for  this  movement  something  like  that  which  it  is  doing  for  the  colleges  and  station.-. 
You  know  that  in  the  Office  of  Experiment  Stations  we  have  what  may  be  called 
a  kind  of  clearing  house  for  the  agricultural  colleges  and  experiment  stations  of  the 
country;  that  is,  we  gather  there  information  about  their  work  and  publish  it  in 
different  forms.  We  follow  up  the  movements  abroad  along  these  same  line-  and 
publish  information  regarding  them.  We  visit  these  institutions  to  confer  with  their 
officers,  and  endeavor  in  every  way  to  strengthen  their  work.  I  have  been  imp] 
with  the  fact  that  while  the  experiment  stations  are  doing  a  good  work  and  their 
publications  are  being  read,  they  are  not  reaching  the  great  masses  of  the  people  as 
we  hoped  they  ought  do.  I  have  become  more  and  more  convinced  that  they  will 
never  reach  the  masses  of  the  farmers  until  we  can  supplement  the  bulletins  with 
some  form  of  oral  communication.  We  must  have  a  special  force  of  workers  who 
can  go  out  and  through  the  farmers'  institutes  and  other  agencies  come  into  personal 
contact  with  the  farmers  in  their  meetings  and  on  their  farms,  teaching  and  demon- 
strating the  things  which  the  experiment  stations  have  found  out. 

The  Department  of  Agriculture  at  Washington  is  simply  the  servant  of  the  people 
and  will  do  what  the  people  want  done  for  the  benefit  of  agriculture.  If  there  is 
anything  we  can  do  to  help  this  movement,  I  am  sure  Secretary  Wilson  desires  to  do 
it;  and  we  want  you  to  help  in  every  way,  so  that  all  work  in  this  direction  under- 
taken by  the  Department  may  be  a  great  success. 


FIVE-MINUTE  REPORTS  FROM  DIFFERENT  STATES. 

FLORIDA. 
By  Superintendent  II.  E.  Stockkridoe. 

The  work  of  the  institutes  in  Florida  i>  very  much  like  that  in  other  State-,  and  I 
shall  not  go  into  detail  more  than  possibly  to  give  a  few  words  of  explanation  as  to 
one  or  two  features  of  work. 

First,  as  to  the  physical  conditions,  regarding  which  people  of  other  States  are 
largely  misinformed.  Florida  is  a  country  with  a  great  range  of  agricultural  adapta- 
tion and  products.  Possibly  the  range  of  crops  produced  is  greater  than  in  any  State 
in  the  Union.  We  grow  most  things,  from  apples  to  cocoanuts,  Florida  being  the 
only  State  which  produces  the  staple  agricultural  crops  and  also  the  distinctively 
tropical  crops,  especially  pineapples.  Now,  because  of  this  diversification  in  our 
State  our  farmers  are  unavoidably  specialists.  The  people  enpaged  in  agriculture  in 
one  part  of  the  State  have  entirely  different  interests  from  those  in  another  section. 
Therefore,  almost  all  our  meetings  are  •"special."     For  instance,  then-  i-  one  Bection 


24 

in  which  for  thirty  or  forty  miles  the  only  product  with  which  the  people  are  famil- 
iar is  pineapples.  Ami  so  in  that  section  we  hold  a  pineapple  institute.  The  same 
applies  t<»  the  dairy,  and  so  on.  There  is  one  section  in  which  Irish  potatoes  are 
practically  the  sole  crop,  and  this  section  holds  the  largest  shipping  point  for  pota- 
toes in  the  world. 

Now,  a  word  as  to  the  origin  of  the  work.  To  the  present  time  there  has  been  no 
regular  official  in  charge  maintained  by  state  appropriation.     The  agricultural  college 

has  been  giving  short  courses,  but  owing  to  the  extensive  area  of  the  State  and  the 
comparatively  poor  transportation  facilities  it  is  difficult  to  get  an  attendance  of 
farmers  at  these  sessions.  So  we  said,  "  If  Mohammet  will  not  come  to  the  mountain, 
the  mountain  will  have  to  go  to  Mohammet,"  and  we  left  the  short  courses  entirely 
out  of  the  work  of  the  college  and  disseminated  as  far  as  possible  the  same  knowledge 
and  information  at  our  institute  gatherings. 

This  year  we  had  at  our  disposal  an  appropriation  of  $2,500.  The  way  in  which 
our  work  is  organized  may  possibly  interest  you,  as  it  differs  in  one  or  two  points 
from  the  work  in  other  places.  Now,  with  no  regular  income  whatever  at  our  dis- 
posal the  matter  of  economy  in  institutes  was  of  paramount  importance.  How  could 
we  defray  the  actual  expenses  of  the  institute  without  drawing  from  the  college  and 
station  funds — which  must  be  used  in  other  directions — and  yet  not  call  for  private 
donation  or  charity?  The  largest  number  of  employees  in  the  State  are  railroad 
laborers.  Each  railroad  in  Florida  maintains  an  agricultural  department  and  a  so- 
called  commissioner  of  agriculture;  and  the  landed  interests  and  the  agricultural 
interests  of  the  State  are  so  important  that  this  commissioner  gives  his  whole  atten- 
tion to  furthering  agricultural  industries.  We  interested  the  railroad  authorities  in 
our  work.  It  was  necessary  to  get  transportation  for  our  delegates,  so  I  laid  the 
matter  before  the  railroads,  pointing  out  the  fact  that  our  interests  were  theirs. 
Improved  methods  of  agriculture  would  mean  more  travel.  The  result  of  it  all  has 
been  that  in  the  entire  history  of  institute  work  in  Florida  we  have  never  been 
obliged  to  pay  money  for  transportation.  At  first  it  meant  a  great  deal  of  work  with 
the  railroad  authorities,  but  to-day  it  is  simply  necessary  to  inform  the  head  of  the 
traffic  department  that  on  such  a  date- at  such  a  place  there  will  be  a  farmers'  meet- 
ing, and  we  would  be  thankful  for  transportation  for  such  and  such  men,  and  without 
a  single  exception  we  get  as  many  passes  as  we  ask  for.  We  are  in  tins  way  relieved 
from  the  chief  item  of  expenditure,  as  incurred  in  other  States,  and  are  able  to 
accomplish  with  a  comparatively  small  outlay  the  same  work  as  they  carry  forward 
each  year.  Two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  allowed  us  by  the  State  will  prob- 
ably go  as  far  as  double  the  amount  in  another  State  where  transportation  has  to  be 
considered. 

Now,  as  to  the  selection  of  an  institute  force.  We  have  the  one-man  system,.  We 
have  the  addresses  of  1,000  progressive  farmers  with  whom  I  am  acquainted.  If  I 
wish  to  hold  an  institute  meeting  I  write  to  perhaps  20  parties  and  ask  them  to  get 
the  cooperation  of  one  another  and  decide  on  a  date  and  select  the  subjects  they  wish 
treated.  The  management  of  the  meeting  is  entirely  in  the  hands  of  men  on  my 
programme.  I  do  not  think  it  advisable  to  go  into  a  county  with  a  set  programme  and 
give  the  people  the  idea  that  it  must,  for  some  unknown  reason,  be  carried  out.  We 
do  not  want  them  to  think  we  are  getting  them  to  swallow  a  pill.  We  want  subjects 
that  are  of  local  importance.     We  usually  hold  but  one-day  sessions. 

I  do  not  put  college  or  station  men  on  my  programme.  I  do  not  wish  to  be  under- 
stood as  throwing  any  reflection  upon  these  men.  Many  of  them  are  the  best  to  be 
found  anywhere,  but  as  a  rule  the  college  and  station  men  are  not  good  institute 
workers.  I  put  on  the  programme  a  practical  man,  whose  experience  enables  him  to 
give  very  emphatically  the  information  the  people  of  a  certain  locality  are  seeking. 
For  instance,  in  a  bee  section  I  place  on  the  programme  the  best  man  Icantind  to  give 
information  on  bee  keeping.     It  may  surprise  some  of  you  to  know  that  Florida  has 


25 

the  Largest  apiary  in  the  world,  owned  and  operated  by  a  woman.  Where  it  is 
possible,  we  group  the  meetings  and  make  an  institute  tour,  but  this  is  qoI  always 
possible. 

One  point  upon  which  I  am  emphatic  is  thai  no  man  with  a  manuscript  goes  on 
my  programme.  If  lu-  has  it  in  his  pocket,  it  must  stay  there.  If  lie  doee  not  know 
hie  subject  well  enough  to  talk  it,  he  does  Dot  get  <»n  my  programme  more  than  once. 

I  believe  this  is  an  essential  fact  >r  in  OUT  success.  It  impresses  the  audience  with 
the  fact  that  the  speaker  has  been  there  himself. 

[NDIANA. 

By  Superintendent  W.  ( J.    LiATTA. 

I  have  prepared  no  summary  of  work  being  done  in  our  State,  but  will  make  a  brief 

statement. 

Work  has  been  going  on  for  twelve  years.  We  have  now  an  appropriation  of 
|10,000.  The  law  requires  that  we  hold  an  annual  meeting  in  each  county  in  the 
State.  We  organized  in  each  place  as  soon  as  possible,  and  I  think  in  four  years  after 
inauguration  we  were  holding  these  meetings  in  every  part  of  the  State.  We  have 
92  counties.  We  have  held  each  year,  in  accordance  with  previously  arranged 
schedule,  occasional  additional  meetings.  We  set  apart  from  the  fund  a  certain  por- 
tion for  each  county  to  meet  the  local  expenses.  The  rest  is  reserved  for  sending 
speakers,  etc.  In  some  cases  they  do  not  use  this  apportionment  for  the  annual 
meeting,  and  then  we  give  the  privilege  of  a  second  meeting,  and  so  I  suppose  we 
have  held  100  meetings  under  State  control.  In  addition,  a  number  of  independent 
meetings  have  been  held  for  which  no  State  appropriation  is  made.  Our  general 
plan  may  be  outlined  about  as  follows: 

The  management  of  the  work  rests  with  the  agricultural  college.  The  board  have 
placed  the  immediate  execution  of  the  work  in  the  hands  of  the  faculty.  The  pro- 
fessor of  agriculture  has  been  the  field  man  in  the  work.  At  first  he  went  over  the 
State  attending  these  meetings  and  getting  them  organized.  (By  the  way.  we  have 
permanently  organized  meetings.)  When  that  was  done  he  kept  his  thumb  on  the 
button  and  directed  the  work  from  the  office.  He  has  not  been  in  the  field  since  the 
first  two  years.     This  is  what  we  call  "  long  range"  work,  and  it  is  not  ideal. 

We  assign  two  speakers  to  each  meeting.  The  chairman  of  the  county,  with  his 
committee,  arranges  the  programme  and  assigns  two  local  speakers,  and  these  com- 
bine their  labors  with  those  assigned  by  the  State.  We  leave  the  details  of  conduct- 
ing the  meeting  to  the  local  chairman.  We  send  out  blanks  to  the  speakers  we  assign 
and  they  li  11  in  reports  of  each  meeting,  so  that  we  are  enabled  to  keep  very  close 
track  of  the  work  done. 

This,  I  think,  in  brief,  outlines  the  work  as  carried  on  in  our  own  State.  The  law 
requires  that  we  hold  one  institute  in  each  county,  which  we  call  the  annual  meet- 
ing. With  increased  appropriation  we  shall  increase  the  meetings.  We  shall  aim  to 
hold  supplementary  meetings  throughout  the  State,  so  as  to  reach  a  different  class  of 
people,  and  will  arrange  the  meetings  so  as  to  best  suit  the  general  management  in 
order  to  economize  funds.  We  arrange  our  meetings  in  a  series,  which,  of  course,  is 
not  a  new  idea.     It  saves  time  and  money. 

MARYLAND. 

By  Superintendent  W.  L.  Amoss. 

Our  institute  work  is  under  the  direction  of  the  agricultural  college.  We  have  an 
annual  appropriation  of  84,000.  We  formerly  had  but  $3,000,  and  have  not  yet  had 
the  use  of  the  $4,000,  because  we  had  to  use  part  of  it  last  year  to  pay  for  experi- 
ments in  institute  work  the  year  before. 


26 

We  have  tried  very  many  experiments  in  institute  work  suggested  by  these  meet- 
ings, and  in  a  way  they  have  all  been  successful.  The  fanners  in  our  State  arc  not 
organized  as  a  class,  as  they  are  in  many  places.  When  we  began  work  it  was  under 
greal  difficulties,  not  receiving  any  assistance  at  all  in  many  of  the  counties;  and  in 
sonic  instances  we  had  to  go  where  the  people  were  actually  prejudiced  against  us, 
and  in  the  face  of  this  make  it  a  success.  We  are  obliged  to  hold  one  meeting  in 
each  county,  and  more  if  the  funds  will  justify  it.  We  have  held  one-day  meetings, 
two-day  meetings,  and  five-session  meetings;  we  have  held  summer  meetings,  and 
various  kinds  of  meetings  in  the  winter,  and  have  now  decided  that  the  best  time  is 

s 1  after  the  1st  of  January.      We  think  it  is  best  not  to  attempt  a  summer  institute 

when  our  people  are  busy,  as  we  have  a  harvest  in  nearly  every  month  in  our  State. 

I  like  a  live-session  institute,  to  begin  in  the  afternoon  and  continue  through  the 
evening  and  all  the  next  day.  A  second  night  session  is  sometimes  an  advantage. 
I  once  held  one-day  meetings  throughout  the  State,  going  right  through  every  day  and 
night.  As  I  traveled  with  my  men,  I  know  something  of  their  hardships,  and  had 
an  opportunity  of  sympathizing  with  them,  as  they  were  nearly  all  sick  afterwards, 
and  1  shall  never  do  it  again  nor  ask  anyone  else  to  do  it.  I  believe  it  is  necessary 
to  give  workers  s«  »me  rest.  I  think  the  first  forenoon  should  be  given  to  a  speaker  to 
go  into  the  community  and  prepare  for  his  work,  receive  his  letters,  and  answer  cor- 
respondence; and  if  he  desires  to  rest,  let  him  do  so,  and  not  be  rushed  out  to  a  meet- 
ing at  10  o'clock,  which,  as  a  rule,  is  poorly  attended.  I  think  it  better  to  begin  the 
first  afternoon  and  treat  the  subject  more  thoroughly,  and  have  an  opportunity  of 
meeting  the  farmers  and  becoming  acquainted  with  the  men  and  the  neighborhood. 

I  would  like  to  hold  a  five-session  institute  in  each  county,  and  then  the  next  day 
divide  forces  and  hold  two  meetings  the  same  day  in  different  parts  of  the  county. 
In  other  words,  I  would  do  missionary  work.  Usually  we  would  be  assisted  by  some 
local  workers.  Even  if  we  did  not  reach  more  than  one  or  two  dozen  in  a  new  place, 
it  would  give  them  a  chance  to  meet  our  men  and  to  learn  that  they  are  practical 
fellows  who  know  what  they  are  talking  about  from  what  they  have  done.  In  this 
way  the  interest  would  spread  and  our  five-session  institutes  would  be  better  attended. 

We  have  been  obliged  to  hold  our  meetings  in  the  county  towns  because  they  were 
on  the  railroads.  They  are  also  central  and  anyone  who  wants  to  attend  an  institute 
meeting  can  get  there.  We  have  been  able  to  get  the  use  of  the  court-house  free,  after 
they  got  to  know  who  we  were.  At  first  the  farmers  were  suspicious  of  us,  but  when 
they  found  we  were  in  earnest  and  wanted  to  do  them  good,  they  compelled  the 
county  authorities  to  give  us  the  use  of  the  court-house.  We  bear  all  the  expenses, 
advertising,  hotel  bills,  etc.  In  some  places  the  court-houses  have  not  been  large 
enough,  and  where  this  has  been  the  case  I  have  required  that  they  provide  us  with 
a  hall  if  they  want  us  to  move  out  of  the  court-house.  I  also  insist  that  they  have 
good,  comfortable  accommodation  for  the  men  who  address  them.  I  see  no  reason 
why  they  should  put  up  with  bad  accommodation.  I  know  the  successful  farmer  is 
well  provided  for,  and  if  they  can  not  provide  good  accommodation  for  delegates  we 
do  not  go  to  that  place. 

Our  meetings  are  successful  and  the  work  is  growing.  We  are  satisfied  with  the 
progress  thus  far,  but  we  want  all  the  suggestions  we  can  get  from  our  fellow-workers, 
and  will  weigh  them  well  and  put  in  practice  those  which  commend  themselves  to 
our  judgment. 

Q.  (By  Superintendent  Hutchinson,  of  Mississippi.)  How  many  men  speak  at  a 
meeting? 

A.  We  select  two  practical  men  who  work  on  their  farms  and  are  able  to  explain 
their  method-  to  the  farmers;  then  one  or  two  from  the  experiment  station  or  agri- 
cultural college,  or  sometimes  wc  get  them  from  the  Department  at  Washington.  So 
we  take  four  men.  I  always  refer  questions  to  the  men  who  are  specialists  in  that 
particular  line.      1  say  to  the  workers,  "  H  is  not  so  much  to  make  an  address  at  a 


27 

meeting,  but  to  give  fche  people  information  and  answer  their  questions."  This 
makes  a  meeting  successful.  I  find  it  a  good  plan  to  call  on  the  practical  man  to 
give  h is  experience,  as  well  as  the  man  from  the  experiment  station  or  agricultural 
college. 

Q.     By  Dr.  Mills,  of  Canada.)   Do  you  hold  meetings  a  day  and  a  half  ? 

A.  \  day  and  oighl  session.  The  people  in  the  towns  are  not  interested  in  agri- 
culture. We  have  the  opportunity  of  getting  very  good  speakers;  in  fact  it  has  been 
said  to  me  that  we  can  get  the  best  talent  in  the  world.  Now.  I  go  into  a  town  thai 
has  not  given  us  an  audience  and  say  to  a  committee,  "I  will  send  you  whomever 
yon  wish  that  I  can  possibly  get  to  interest  your  people  ami  also  instruct  them.  I 
want  to  leave  out  amusement  and  make  a  meeting  thoroughly  instructive."  Tin* 
local  committee  will  usually  work  it  up  and  Lret  people  interested;  thus  the  work 
trrows,  and  it  is  a  benefit  if  you  can  get  the  town  people  to  attend.  I  Mir  strong  point 
is  not  to  let  a  man  go  inside  a  meeting  without  getting  some  information,  so  that  he 
may  tell  it  to  the  farmer  who  makes  the  inquiry. 

MICHIGAN. 

By  Superintendent  C.   D.  Smith. 

The  institute  system  is  modeled  after  the  Ontario  plan.  The  superintendent  is 
appointed  bythe  State  board  of  agriculture,  having  in  charge  the  agricultural  college, 
and  the  institutes,  although  supported  by  a  separate  appropriation  of  $5,500,  are 

managed  as  part  of  the  extension  work  of  the  college.  In  each  comity  there  is 
organized  a  local  institute  society  composed  of  members  who  pay  an  annual  fee  of 
10  or  25  cents.  The  money  thus  provided  goes  to  the  payment  of  local  expenses, 
which  are  rent  of  hall,  advertising  the  meetings,  postage  and  stationery.  With  two 
exceptions  no  salaries  are  paid,  and  none  of  the  money  leaves  the  comity.  From 
live  to  seventeen  meetings  are  held  each  winter  in  the  comity.  Of  these  meetings 
one  is  a  two-day  meeting,  called  the  "county  institute,"  and  the  others  are  one- 
day  meetings.  The  one-day  meetings  are  held  in  _Lrran*re  halls,  schoolhouses,  or  town- 
halls,  and  are  located  in  parts  of  the  comity  where  the  residents  have  not  attended 
past  institutes  and  where  few  papers  are  taken.  One  State  speaker  goes  to  such 
meetings  and  speaks  twice  or  thrice — forenoon,  afternoon,  and  sometimes  in  the  even- 
ing. This  work  is  not  sought  after  as  vacation  recreation  by  college  professors.  The 
meetings  are  advertised  by  posters  and  through  thedistrict  schools.  The  meetings  in 
a  given  county  follow  one  another  on  consecutive  days.  In  some  cases  two  speakers 
are  sent  to  a  series  of  meetings,  especially  where  a  new  industry  is  coming  in — sugar 
beets,  for  example.  The  two-day  meeting  follows  the  series  of  one-day  institute-  in 
the  county — not  usually  the  next  week,  hut  after  an  interval  of  threeormore  weeks — 
to  allow  for  a  rest  and  for  additional  advertising.  To  the  two-day  meeting  two  men 
and  one  woman  are  sent  for  the  day  sessions,  and  usually  some  speaker,  selected  for 
his  ability  both  to  entertain  and  instruct,  aids  in  the  evening  programme.  Ix>cal 
speakers  occupy,  roughly  speaking,  a  third  of  the  time.  Evening  sessions  are  - 
times  given  up  to  the  schools  or  to  purely  local  programmes.  Addresses  of  interest  to 
children  also  find  place  on  the  programmes. 

The  State  pays  expenses  of  State  speakers,  while  the  local  comity  organization 
does  the  advertising,  rents  halls,  and  pays  all  local  expenses.  There  are  now  68 
local  institute  organizations  in  Michigan,  all  affiliated  with  the  State  institute  man- 
agement and  partly  controlled  by  it. 

Speakers  are  selected  from  the  college  faculty;  from  a  list  of  farmers  whose  farms 
have  been  visited  in  person  or  by  proxy  by  the  superintendent;  from  a  list  of  women 
also  carefully  selected  on  the  basis  of  being  interesting  and  entertaining  without 
being  radical  or  cranky.  The  annual  appropriation  for  institutes  has  been  $5,500 
until  this  year,  when  the  college  set  aside  S7,fi00  from  a  general  appropriation.    Last 


28 

winter  there  were  held  <>:5  two-day  institutes  and  141  one-day  meetings,  reaching 
fully  1.00,000  people.     The  institutes  are  growing  iii  popularity  in  the  State. 

MINNESOTA. 
By  Superintendent  O.  C.  Gregg. 

In  Minnesota  we  have  more  money  than  men.     Our  annual  appropriation  is  $13,500. 

Last  year  we  held  80  institute  meetings,  with  an  aggregate  attendance  of  20,000. 
During  the  past  year  we  had  two  meetings,  each  of  which  was  attended  by  over  1,000. 

The  management  is  under  the  one-man  power.  Those  who  like  institutes,  like 
them  well.  Our  work  began  without  prejudices;  that  is,  we  did  not  have  anything 
in  the  way  except  the  general  indifference  of  the  farmer.  We  did  not  have  to 
attempt  holding  meetings  with  old  institutions. 

Classes  of  speakers.  We  lay  great  stress  upon  the  men  being  practical  men.  I 
have  a  profound  respect  forthe  teachers  and  experimenters  at  our  stations.  I  have 
obtained  much  good  from  them,  but  my  experience  is  that  the  average  station  man 
is  not  a  good  institute  worker.  Now  the  reason  to  my  mind  is  manifest.  A  man  can 
not  talk  long  to  an  audience  before  they  know  that  he  has  been  there  or  he  has  not 
been  there.  He  is  inclined  to  use  language  wThich  the  average  farmer  does  n<  >t  under- 
stand. It  may  be,  and  is,  all  right  in  the  class  room,  but  is  not  intelligible  to  the 
farmer.  We  have  men  who  can  adapt  themselves  to  an  agricultural  audience,  but 
they  are  few. 

I  would  lay  stress  on  another  thing.  I  want  a  man  who  lias  enthusiasm.  A  man 
must  be  intensely  interested  in  his  subject  and  have  the  power  of  imparting  this  to 
his  audience.  We  must  put  fire  on  the  hearth  of  agriculture.  Men  say,  "lama 
farmer  just  because  I  have  to  be  one."  Such  men  need  new  life.  A  competent 
institute  man  is  a  rare  thing  to  find.  Why?  Pie  must  have  a  large  fund  of  informa- 
tion, and  when  questions  are  put  he  must  be  able  to  deliver  himself  so  clearly  that 
the  questioner  is  satisfied  with  the  reply.  He  has  to  be  a  scholar  and  a  laborer. 
Then  he  has  also  to  be  apt  to  teach.  Just  think  of  the  combination.  And  withal 
he  must  be  a  man  of  enthusiasm.     These  are  the  facts  as  I  see  them. 

A  few  words  as  to  success.  Study  the  people;  study  the  conditions.  Some  people 
talk  as  though  it  was  an  unknown  problem.  Why,  it  is  an  open  book.  There  are 
always  ways  ..f  getting  hold  of  people  if  you  will  just  find  them  out.  You  remember 
Sam  Jones  said  it  was  a  good  thing  to  get  the  people  laughing  sometimes,  because  he 
was  then  able  to  "ram  in  a  rock."     Make  it  a  point  to  study  your  audience. 

Q.  (By  Superintendent  Hutchinson,  of  Mississippi.)  What  do  you  do  with  a 
crowd?     Can  you  handle  1,000  in  a  meeting? 

A.  Yes,  if  you  have  them  in  a  hall.  The  larger  the  numbers  the  greater  the  enthu- 
siasm.    Every  public  speaker  knows  the  value  of  a  large  attendance. 

o.   We  have  trouble  in  getting  the  crowd  together.     Can  you  handle  them  in  the 

open'.' 

A.  Yes;  in  the  West  we  handle  them  in  all  places.  I  find  a  blackboard  or  roll  a 
good  plan.  Demonstration  of  a  subject  where  at  all  possible  is  a  splendid  aid  in 
fastening  the  attention  of  a  rural  audience.     I  would  repeat  it — study  human  nature. 

MISSISSIPPI. 
By  Superintendent  W.  L.  Hutchinson. 

I  do  not  know  that  I  can  give  you  a  better  idea  of  institute  work  in  our  State  than 
to  recite  just  what  we  did  <luring  the  last  institute  season,  which  was  during  July 
and  August.  We  held  fourteen  meetings;  nearly  all  of  them  one-day  meetings,  with 
a  total  attendance  of  about  10,000.      This  is  about  live  times  as  many  as  we  had  in 


29 

any  previous  year.     Four  years  ago  a  report  of  the  institute  work  in  the  State  would 
have  shown  an  attendance  of  about  200. 

The  firsl  time  the  State  appropriated  anything  for  such  work  was  two  yean 
when  they  gave  us  $1,000.  The  work  is  done  entirely  by  college  and  station  men, 
and,  while  professors  and  experimenters  do  not  seem  to  be  particularly  in  favor  with 
these  audiences,  I  feel  that  they  have  done  a  great  deal  for  institute  work.  The  suc- 
cess of  institute  work  in  many  places  was  made  by  such  men.  One  man  can  not  <lo 
everything,  however,  and  there  comes  a  time-;  it  has  come  in  .Mississippi  when  I  do 
not  care  Longer  to  have  the  direction  of  the  work,  simply  because  it  has  readied  that 
Stage  where  I  can  not  discharge  "roperly  my  other  duties  and  do  what  OUghl  to  be 
done  for  institute  work. 

Regarding  large  audiences,  if  I  had  a  large  auditorium  where  the  acoustics  were 
perfect,  I  might  speak  to  l,ooo,  hut  when  I  am  addressing  a  farmers'  meeting  I  want 
to  talk  to  them;  w  hen  the  audience  becomes  so  large  that  it  has  a  tendency  to  make 
me  want  to  speak,  I  feel  that  it  is  a  disadvantage.  It  is  wonderful  to  see  how  an 
audience  of  from  one  to  two  hundred  will  listen  to  a  man  talk  to  them  for  a  long  time. 

We  are  taking  steps,  which  T  hope  will  succeed,  to  give  us  a  farmers'  institute  super- 
intendent or  manager,  in  order  that  the  work  may  be  carried  forward.  We  have  not 
been  able  to  undertake  all  the  work  asked  for,  but  have  done  all  we  could. 

NEW  JERSKY. 
By  Superintendent  Franklin  Dye. 

There  are  greater  States  that  are  doing  a  larger  work  than  New  Jersey.  Institute 
work  in  New  Jersey  has  been  an  outgrowth  of  the  State  and  county  boards  of  agri- 
culture. Our  system  is  a  little  peculiar.  The  law  permits  and  encourages  the  creation 
of  county  boards  of  agriculture,  which  are  auxiliary  to  the  State  hoard.  These  hold 
four  meetings — sometimes  more — in  the  year,  which  are  somewhat  like  institutes  in 
character.  Having  been  associated  with  the  board  for  fourteen  years,  I  saw  that 
institute  work  was  important,  so  prepared  an  amendment  to  our  law,  which  permits 
of  an  appropriation  for  the  holding  of  institute  meetings.  The  executive  committee 
of  the  State  boards  gives  the  secretary  full  control.  We  are  not  troubled  with  the 
large  audiences  to  which  Mr.  Gregg  refers.  Sometimes  we  till  a  fair-sized  opera  house, 
but  more  frequently  our  audiences  number  from  50  to  150. 

We  aim  to  hold  from  three  to  five  meetings  each  year  in  each  county  which  is 
organized.  Our  institutes  are  of  one  and  two  days'  duration,  comprising,  of  course, 
three  and  five  sessions.  We  have  a  night  session  in  each  institute.  We  have  prac- 
tical questions  on  agriculture  treated  and  endeavor  to  make  the  subject  bear  on  the 
locality.  If  the  meeting  is  held  in  a  market-garden  center,  we  endeavor  to  have 
speakers  who  are  capable  of  dealing  with  the  problems  of  such  a  community;  and  so 
in  other  sections. 

We  also  present  the  home  subject — different  phases  of  home  improvement  and 
adorning  the  buildings  and  beautifying  the  surroundings.  In  closing  an  institute  we 
usually  press  home  moral  questions,  in  regard  to  which  the  farmers  are  the  safe 
guards  of  this  country.  We  appeal  to  the  farmers  not  only  to  stand  for  practical 
agriculture,  but  for  the  preservation  of  our  noble  institutions,  the  family,  the  Sab- 
bath, faith  in  God  and  the  Bible.  Thus  we  not  only  bring  before  them  the  practical 
part  of  life,  money  making,  but  the  very  important  part,  character  making,  as  well. 
This,  in  general,  is  the  way  we  are  able  to  build  up  our  work. 

One  speaker  has  remarked  that  he  does  not  wish  his  workers  to  make  an  address, 
but  rather  to  give  information  by  answering  questions,  etc.  I  appreciate  that  fully, 
but  realize  that  it  is  usually  the  practical,  forceful  address  which  brings  out  the  ques- 
tions. It  is  often  difficult  to  get  any  questions  unless  a  good  address  has  been 
presented. 


30 

We  have  a  total  appropriation  of  $6,000.  Each  institute  costs  from  $40  to  $60. 
We  are  doing  good  work.  The  institutes  are  popular  in  most  places.  I  strongly 
believe  that  If  the  people  of  a  community  are  desirous  of  having  an  institute  they  will 
l»n>\  ide  good,  comfortable  accommodation.  I  have  in  mind  now  three  places  which 
I  .hopped  off  my  list  last  winter,  ami  when  they  desire  another  institute  meeting  I 
will  let  them  know  why  they  were  dropped.  It"  they  will  provide  a  comfortable 
hall,  we  will  go  again.  It  is  humiliating  to  all  concerned  to  meet  in  a  miserable 
building  when  there  are,  maybe,  two  good  churches  in  the  neighborhood. 

NEW   YORK. 

By  Superintendent  F.  E.  Dawley, 

The  institute  work  in  New  York  State  is.  I  may  say,  unhampered  by  politics  or 
law.  We  have  a  section  which  states  that  the  commissioner  of  agriculture  may 
appoint  a  director  of  farmers'  institutes,  and  a  further  clause  which  states  that  he 
may  spend  $20,000.  We  have  nothing,  therefore,  to  hamper  us  as  regards  the  law. 
Some  of  our  best  workers  are  from  one  party  and  some  from  the  other.  W»  try  to 
get  the  best  we  can  for  the  subjects  we  wish  to  discuss;  we  endeavor,  as  Mr.  Dye  has 
said,  to  adjust  the  subjects  to  the  needs  of  the  various  sections.  In  fact,  we  ask  the 
local  correspondents  to  Let  US  know  what  subjects  they  wish  discussed,  rather  than 
what  men  they  wish  sent. 

I  think  our  system  in  New  York  State  is  somewhat  different  from  the  methods  as 
outlined  by  representatives  of  other  States.  We  try  to  concentrate  the  management 
of  the  institutes  in  the  home  office.  ( )ur  work  is  held  under  a  bureau  of  the  depart- 
ment of  agriculture.  All  that  the  department  of  agriculture  has  to  do  is  to  audit 
the  bills.  Our  system  of  doing  work  is  to  receive  applications  from  the  localities 
where  institutes  are  to  be  held.  To  show  you  that  the  institutes  are  popular  1  may 
say  that  the  applications  for  the  past  two  years  have  been  1,200  each  year,  when  we 
can  only  hold  about  one  quarter  of  that  number.  These  applications  are  then  noted 
on  a  map  of  the  State.  We  mark  the  new  applications  on  a  map  which  lias  been 
used  before,  so  that  we  may  know  where  meetings  have  been  held  before,  and  are 
thus  enabled  to  arrange  the  meetings  so  that  the  ground  may  be  well  covered.  The 
central  office  prepares  printed  programmes  and  in  many  cases  printed  posters,  which 
are  sent  out  to  the  local  committees,  and  they  advertise  the  meetings  as  they  see  lit. 
"We  try,  as  far  as  possible,  to  send  short  notices  to  the  papers  in  the  vicinity  where 
the  meeting  is  to  be  held,  and  in  some  cases  for  the  larger  meetings  -end  notice-  to 
the  agricultural  papers  having  the  largest  circulation  in  the  State.  We  also  try  to 
keep  in  these  papers  a  list  of  the  meetings  which  are  being  held. 

The  details  of  running  the  meeting  are  delegated  by  the  director  to  one  who  is 
known  as  the  conductor.  This  man  represents  the  director  at  the  meeting.  Of 
course  the  director  is  somewhat  at  a  disadvantage,  as  he  does  not  come  in  contact 
with  the  people,  but  with  the  office  work,  etc.,  this  can  not  be  avoided.  The  con- 
ductor acts  as  chairman.  Some  like  a  local  chairman.  We  do  not.  Some  are  ail 
right,  but  they  are  few7.  The  conductor  sends  the  account  for  all  expenses  to  the 
director. 

It  seems  to  be  the  aim  of  all  directors  to  get  as  large  an  average  attendance  as 
possible.  This  is  right,  but  at  the  same  time  I  have  ceased  trying  to  do  it.  I 
believe  the  institutes  do  the  most  good  where  we  have  an  audience  of  say  50  men. 
We  have  had  remarkably  good  meetings  in  dairy  sections,  where  we  have  spent 
very  little  time  on  anything  else.  The  same  is  true  of  special  poultry  meetings.  I 
think,  however,  that  the  most  successful  in  the  series  of  special  meetings  were  those 
of  the  bee  keepers.  Two  years  ago  we  had  7;  this  year  12,  with  an  average  attend- 
ance of  100.     With  that  number  of  bee  keepers  you  are  bound  to  have  an  enthusias- 


81 

tic  audience.     Sometimes  we  have  gone  outside  the  State  for  speakers  in  whom  the 
keepers  have  confidence. 

Our  State  Dairymen's  Association  Borne  years  ago  gol  to  a  very  low  ebb.  h  had 
an  appropriation,  l>ut  was  unable  to  hold  meetings  withoul  the  aid  of  the  institutes. 
Tin- institutes  took  hold,  officers  were  elected  from  amongst  the  institute  workers, 
and  arrangements  were  made  whereb)  we  simply  hold  the  meetings  with  institute 
tuiids.  We  did  thai  for  three  years,  and  they  eould  now  gel  along  without  the 
institute,  but  we  do  doI  want  them  to.  This  is  true  of  several  of  our  horticultural 
society  meetings  and  of  our  State  breeders'  meetings.  We  have  large  audiences  who 
listen  attentively  to  our  speakers. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

By  Superintendent  A.   L.  .Makiin. 

The  institutes  of  Pennsylvania  have  been  placed  under  the  charge  of  the  depart- 
ment of  agriculture  since  L895.  For  the  past  two  years  the  State  has  been  divided 
into  five  distinct  sections,  beginning  about  the  1st  of  December  and  running  through 
to  the  Lsl  of  March,  there  being  live  sets  of  State  lecturers  in  the  field  continuously. 
During  this  season  we  held  32]  days  of  institutes  at  a  cost  of  137.50  a  day  per  insti- 
tute. The  entire  cost  is  borne  by  the  State.  Institutes  were  held  in  the  <i7  counties 
of  the  State.  A  schedule  for  a  given  county  is  fixed  by  the  number  of  farms  in  the 
county.  In  this  way  we  try  to  arrange  the  meetings  on  an  equitable  basis.  Last 
year  we  reached  more  than  1.50,000  people  at  these  meetings. 

Each  county  lias  what  is  called  a  local  chairman  of  institutes.  He  is  usually 
elected  by  the  agricultural  society  of  the  town,  if  there  be  one;  if  not,  he  is  appointed 
by  the  director  of  institutes.  There  is  placed  in  the  hands  of  this  chairman  the  sum 
of  siL\r>()  for  a  day  meeting  and  £25  if  there  be  a  two-day  meeting.  This  is  used  for 
advertising,  procuring  a  hall,  etc.,  and  has  to  be  accounted  for  to  the  director  of 
institutes.     AVe  find  this  works  well  in  Pennsylvania. 

The  State  provides  for  all  the  institutes  at  least  three  lecturers,  who  attend  the 
meetings.  We  are  aided  very  much  by  the  State  agricultural  college.  We  are 
privileged  to  procure  from  this  institution  men  who  are  versed  in  scientific  know  ledge 
along  certain  lines  and  are  able  to  answer  just  such  questions  as  puzzle  the  average 
farmer  in  his  life  upon  the  farm.  The  farmer  conies  to  the  meeting  full  of  questions 
about  this  or  that  obstacle,  and  we  find  it  a  good  thing  to  have  the  man  of  science 
ready  to  give  a  satisfactory  explanation.  We  are  trying  more  and  more  to  make 
these  institute  meetings  an  actual  school  for  the  farmer.  I  believe  in  a  large  and 
enthusiastic  audience  at  an  institute  meeting.  It  is  not  encouraging  to  the  workers, 
either  government  or  local,  to  go  to  a  place  where  a  meeting  has  been  advertised  and 
find  in  the  rear  of  the  hall  a  few  men,  when  the  influence  of  that  meeting  ought  to 
reach  for  10  or  15  miles  around.  When  I  come  to  a  place  of  that  kind  I  realize  that 
something  is  wrong,  and  strive  to  ascertain  what  it  is.  There  is  a  field  for  thought 
along  this  line. 

I  also  believe  that  one  of  the  secrets  of  success  in  institute  meetings  is  that  those 
who  have  them  in  charge  keep  in  touch  with  the  people,  and  then  gather  together 
such  workers  as  will  take  to  the  people  the  information  for  which  they  are  seeking, 
and  which  will  elevate  agriculture  to  the  plane  which  it  ought  to  occupy.  In  our 
State  we  are  striving  to  mingle  with  the  farmers  and  give  them  practical  scientific 
knowledge  along  the  different  lines  of  agriculture  carried  on  in  the  State.  We  have 
321  institutes  scheduled  for  next  year,  while  we  have  applications  for  over  1,200. 

We  have  an  annual  appropriation  of  $15,000  from  the  State  for  this  work.  In  1895 
the  appropriation  was  $7,000,  but  it  has  been  gradually  increased  to  the  present 
allowance,  showing  something  of  the  onward  march  and  permanent  grasp  the 
farmers'  institutes  are  getting  on  the  people  of  Pennsylvania. 


82 

FARMERS'  INSTITUTES  IN  ONTARIO. 
By  Superintendent  G.  C.  Crrelman. 

Ontario  is  essentially  an  agricultural  province,  and  contains  farming   property 

valued  at  $1, ooo, 000, (XX).     No  one  farm  en. p.  however,  is  produced  to  the  exclusion 
of  others,  bul  the  majority  of  our  farmers  practice  all-round  farming,  and  besides 
raising  enough  food  for  our  own  people  they  have  some  to  Bell. 
In  1900  tiie  live  stock  in  Ontario  was  valued  at  $123,274,821 ;  our  cheese  factories  paid 

their  patrons  si  1,HS2. 470;  our  apple  crop  was  worth  aboul  $2,000,000;   we  exported 
bacon  to  the  extent   of  nearly  $10, 000,000,  and  produced  30,310,070  bushels  of  wheat 
and  89,693,327  bushels  of  oats. 
For  institute  purposes  the  province  is  divided  into   LOO  electoral  districts,  and 

in  each  of  these  we  have  a  permanent  local  fanners'  institute.  This  body  is  made 
up  of  president,  vice-president,  secretary-treasurer,  and  a  hoard  of  director.-,  one  or 
more  being  elected  from  each  township.  We  have,  therefore,  one  man  at  least  in 
each  municipality  of  the  province  officially  connected  with  the  work.  Each  local 
institute  is  granted  $25  a  year  from  the  department  of  agriculture,  on  the  condi- 
tion that  an  equal  sum  he  given  by  the  county  council  or  municipality  in  which  the 
institute  is  organized.  The  annual  membership  fee  is  25  cents,  and  each  member  is 
supplied  with  a  copy  of  each  of  the  following  publications  as  they  arc  issued: 

Reports  of  the  Agricultural  College,  the  Agricultural  and  Experimental  Union,  the 
Dairymen's  Association  (eastern  and  western  Ontario  i.  the  Dominion  Live  Stock 
Associations,  the  Poultry  Associations,  the  Good  Roads  Instructor,  the  Ontario  Fruit 
Growers1  Association,  the  Superintendent  of  Farmers'  Institutes,  and  all  the  bulle- 
tins issued  by  the  Agricultural  College  and  Fxperiment  Stations. 

We  find  that  by  charging  a  small  membership  fee  we  are  enabled  to  secure  a  more 
reliable  mailing  list  for  our  agricultural  publications,  and,  in  addition,  we  have  the 
advantage  of  a  local  fund  for  the  better  advertising  of  our  meetings. 

Two  series  of  meetings  are  held  in  every  institute  division  each  year.  In  the  month 
of  December  or  January  each  institute  is  allowed  to  name  two  places  at  which  they 
would  like  meetings  held.  These  meetings  are  each  of  one  day's  duration,  with  an 
afternoon  and  evening  session.  We  send  them  two  speakers,  and  the  officers  secure 
such  local  talent  as  they  may  to  read  papers  or  lead  in  the  discussions. 

In  February  and  March  another  series  of  meetings  is  held,  and  our  speakers  visit 
the  same  districts  again,  although  the  meetings  are  this  time  located  at  different  places. 
In  this  series  the  institutes  may  hold  as  many  meetings  as  may  be  desired,  but  the 
Department  pays  for  only  four.  If  they  wish  to  hold  more  than  four,  they  notify 
the  superintendent  before  the  meetings  are  advertised,  and  he  arranges  a  schedule 
for  the  speakers,  the  local  institutes  in  this  way  taking  advantage  of  the  speakers 
being  in  their  district,  thus  keeping  down  expenses.  As  a  rule,  we  believe  the  one- 
day  meetings  are  best  in  Ontario,  for  the  following  reasons:  (1)  With  the  money  at 
our  disposal  we  can  hold  more  meetings;  (2)  we  secure  a  larger  attendance  in  the 
ags_rrcirate;  (3)  we  can  go  to  smaller  places  and  reach  a  class  of  farmers  who  would 
not  go  10  or  even  5  miles  to  a  meeting;  (4)  we  secure  a  larger  membership,  and. 
incidentally,  a  larger  list  of  names  to  whom  to  send  agricultural  publications  of  the 
Department. 

Last  year  we  held  730  meetings,  at  which  20,387  joined  and  paid  their  membership 
fees,  while  131,653  persons  attended  the  meetings.  This  was  accomplished  with  an 
appropriation  of  $9,900  (including  salary  of  superintendent,  office  expenses,  etc.  ), 
which  brings  the  amount  expended  by  the  Department  for  each  meeting  down  to 
$13.56. 

The  secretary  of  each  institute  does  all  the  local  advertising.  He  handles  the 
funds  of  the  institute  and  reports  to  his  board  of  directors,  and  a  copy  of  this  report 


33 

i<  >rnt  in  to  me  once  a  year,  "ii  Forme  provided  by  me,  bo  that  we  kimw  exactly  how 
each  local  organization  stands  each  year.  At  this  same  meeting,  which  is  held 
between  the  Lsi  and  20th  of  June,  the  directors  select  the  places  at  which  they  will 
hold  their  meetings  the  aext  year,  and  report  the  Bame  to  us  within  ten  days  aftei 
such  meeting. 

Once  a  year  we  have  a  round-up  "t'  institute  workers,  of   which  we  have  nearly  ">0 

on  the  staff,  and  for  three  days  they  are  instructed  in  matters  pertaining  to  institute 
work,  ami  the  programme  for  the  year  is  generally  discussed. 
At  our  meetings,  besides  the  regular  farm  topics,  we  discuss  one  or  more  subjects 

of  special  importance.  For  example,  one  year  we  took  up  the  subject  of  the  "bacoa 
hog,"  and  at  meetings  last  year  we  took  up  "cold  Btorage"  and  "poultry"  a<  special 
subjects.     In  the  latter  subject  we  gave  demonstrations  of  killing,  plucking,  and 

preparing  fowls  for  the  markets.  .These  subjects  will  be  repeated  again  in  our  next 
campaign,  for  we  find  that   farmers  are  slower  than  any  other  class   of  professional 

men  to  adopt  new  methods,  or  to  seize  present  opportunities.  We  have,  therefore, 
to  repeat  things  many  times  over  before  a  section  realizes  the  importance  of  its 
adoption. 

The  farmers'  institutes,  if  properly  conducted,  can  be  of  incalculable  value  to  any 
agricultural  country.  The  agricultural  colleges  and  universities  are  doing  a  grand 
work,  but  they  are  reaching  only  the  immature  minds.  Then  of  those  a  large  num- 
ber will,  in  the  course  of  event-,  die  or  leave  the  country  before  they  have  a  chance 
to  put  into  practice  the  ideas  gained  during  their  college  course.  On  the  other  hand 
the  institutes  are  doing  a  university-extension  work  and  have  for  a  student  body  the 
matured,  wage-earning,  thinking  men  of  the  country,  a  class  who  are  anxious  to  bet- 
ter their  condition  and  who  are  always  open  to  argument  where  their  own  interests 
are  concerned. 

In  conclusion  I  would  say  that  the  three  things  we  try  to  keep  constantly  before 
the  eyes  of  all  our  farmers  at  our  meetings  are:  (1)  The  necessity  of  a  higher  educa- 
tion for  each  individual  so  that  he  may  take  his  proper  place  among  other  profes- 
sional men  as  befits  one  who  produces  the  raw  material  to  feed  the  world;  (2)  the 
necessity  for  a  closer  study  of  the  soil  and  better  methods  of  its  cultivation  so  that  he 
may  get  the  very  best  returns  for  his  labor;  (3)  a  better  knowledge  of  fertilizers  and 
fertilizing  constituents  so  that  he  may  retain  and  improve  the  fertility  of  his  farm. 

RELATION  OF  AGRICULTURAL  COLLEGES  AND  EXPERIMENT 
STATIONS  TO  FARMERS'  INSTITUTES. 

By  Superintendent  W.  L.  Hutchinson,  of  Mississippi. 

The  relation  which  colleges  and  stations  should  bear  to  institute  work  is  just  such 
pleasant  and  mutually  helpful  relation  as  should  exist  among  three  organizations 
having  for  their  aim  the  accomplishment  of  one  and  the  same  thing,  viz,  to  put 
farming  on  a  business  ba>is,  that  it  may  attract  both  capital  and  talent;  to  help  the 
man  who  actually  farms  by  giving  him  such  education  as  will  be  most  helpful  to 
him,  causing  him  to  observe  and  think;  and.  as  far  as  possible,  to  make  agriculture 
an  exact  science  so  that  the  earnest  efforts  of  the  agriculturist  may  not  be  wasted. 
We  are  all  concerned  about  "the  man  with  the  hoe.'*  for  we  realize  the  difficulty  of 
keeping  farming  up  to  date  and  progressive.  The  agricultural  colleges  were  e>talv 
lished  to  help  the  real  farmer:  the  stations  were  established  for  the  same  purpose? 
and  so  were  the  institutes.  These  three  organizations  should  be  so  closely  in  touch 
with  one  another  that  each  may  be  of  the  greatest  help  to  the  other  in  its  special  field 
of  labor,  and  that  the  work  of  all  may  form  a  well-rounded  whole  adequate  for  the 
successful  accomplishment  of  the  end  in  view. 

14024— No.  110— 02 3 


34 

At  present  only  about  half  of  the  institute  work  in  this  country  and  Canada  is  done 
under  the  auspices  of  the  agricultural  colleges  and  stations,  the  other  half  being  done 
under  the  auspices  of  State  departments  of  agriculture  and  local  societies  and  associa- 
tions. To  accomplish  the  end  in  view  in  full  measure,  or  even  in  satisfactory  degree, 
it  seems  to  me  that  the  college  needs  the  station  and  the  institute,  and  that  the  insti- 
tute needs  the  college  and  the  station.  Neither  organization  can  accomplish  with- 
out the  help  of  the  other  the  real  object  of  all.  The  fanner  is  solitary  and  isolated: 
he  reads  but  little  and  rarely  avails  himself  of  a  college  education.  While  agricul- 
tural colleges  deal  mainly  with  young  burners,  or  more  accurately  with  prospective 
tanners,  still  they  have  the  deepest  concern  for  the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  the 
real  fanner.  Institutes  may  make  friends  for  the  college,  and  it  is  a  pleasant  thing 
to  feel  that  on  every  hillside  in  the  State  or  Province  there  are  those  who  feel  kindly 
toward  you.  The  courses  of  study  at  the  agricultural  colleges  fit  into  the  life  of  the 
farm  boy  and  enable  him  to  get  a  college  education  with  a  minimum  expenditure  of 
time  and  money.  Institutes  may  and  will  increase  the  attendance  at  these  colleges 
and  thus  extend  the  sphere  of  their  usefulness. 

The  specific  function  of  the  station  is  to  investigate  matters  pertaining  to  agricul- 
ture. This  is  a  difficult  field  of  labor  and  requires  both  time  and  money  to  obtain 
results.  Upon  the  accomplishment  of  well-directed  station  work  depends,  I  think, 
successful  college  work,  successful  institute  work,  and  the  progress  of  agriculture  as 
a  science  and  as  a  desirable  business.  It  often  requires  much  time  to  complete 
investigations,  and  to  delay  them  is  usually  poor  policy.  But  the  stations  are  inter- 
ested in  institute  work,  for  it  gives  wider  circulation  to  the  results  of  investigations, 
and  is  doubtless  the  most  efficient  means  of  getting  information  to  the  farmer  so  that 
he  may  use  it  to  advantage.  The  stations  are  of  the  greatest  help  to  successful  insti- 
tute work,  for  we  must  continue  to  know  more  of  agriculture  and  farm  practices 
if  we  are  to  succeed, 

But  what  of  teachers  and  investigators  as  institute  workers?  It  has  been  said,  and 
it  voices  the  sentiments  of  many,  that  the  teacher  should  be  left  to  his  teaching,  the 
investigator  to  his  investigations,  and  the  institute  worker  to  his  speaking.  This  is 
true  only  in  part.  The  instructor  in  medicine  should  have  had  experience  in  the 
sick  room;  the  law  professor  should  be  familiar  with  practice  in  the  courts;  and  it 
also  helps  the  teacher  and  investigator  to  do  institute  work,  that  they  may  come 
close  to  the  real  farmer  and  know  his  wants  and  his  environment.  I  have  very  little 
patience  with  the  college  or  station  man  who  unblushingly  tells  you  that  he  has 
nothing  to  say  to  the  real  farmer,  and  that  the  latter  has  no  interest  in  his  work.  A 
big  dose  of  farmers'  institute  work  is  the  very  best  thing  that  can  be  given  such  a 
man.  He  who  would  teach  young  farmers  or  prospective  farmers  well  may  learn 
many  things  from  the  man  who  farms  as  well  as  in  the  laboratory  or  class  room.  The 
station  man  who  would  know  the  needs  of  his  people  and  help  them  may  plan  much 
of  his  work  while  attending  farmers'  institutes.  I  have  never  yet  seen  a  teacher  or 
an  investigator  who  would  meet  an  audience  of  farmers  in  a  spirit  of  sympathy  and 
with  an  earnest  desire  to  help  them  that  didn't  return  to  his  regular  work  a  wiser 
and  a  better  man,  and  with  more  enthusiasm.  Institutes  make  farmers  think  and 
observe,  and  they  also  make  others  think  and  observe.  Neither  does  it  require  a 
speaker  to  do  successful  institute  work.  I  am  rather  of  the  opinion  that  speaking 
is  as  much  out  of  place  at  fanners'  institutes  as  it  is  in  the  class  room,  but  I  would  not 
select  a  man  for  either  place  who  can  not  interest  his  hearers  in  what  he  has  to  say. 

But  we  should  be  considerate  and  fair  about  this  whole  matter.  To  work  in  the 
garden  may  be  pleasant  and  invigorating,  but  if  you  make  the  farm  boy  work 
the  garden  at  his  noon  rest  period  he  will  learn  to  hate  it.  Farmers'  institute  work 
should  not  be  considered  as  suitable  recreation  and  rest  for  either  college  or  station 
men,  and  the  labors  of  a  good  man  may  accomplish  but  little  if  scattered  over  too 
big  a  field.     The  effort  should  be  to  have  the  investigator  accomplish  the  most  with 


35 

his  investigations  and  the  teacher  to  do  the  best  teaching.  Evidently  mosl  of  the 
institute  work  should  be  done  by  men  Bpecially  employed  for  thai  purpose,  and  on 
these  should  rest  the  responsibility  of  making  a  Bucceee  of  it. 

In  Mississippi  station  and  college  men  have  done  all  the  institute  work,  and  we 
feel  that  in  the  last  four  years  we  have  made  a  SUCCessof  it.  Four  years  ago  we  were 
holding  about  4  institutes  a  year,  with  an  attendance  of  about  200.  This  year  we 
held  between  30  and  40  meetings,  with  an  attendance  of  about  K>,000.  The  work 
this  year  has  been  burdensome,  and  we  are  endeavoring  to  get  at  least  one  or  two  men 
to  give  their  entire  time  to  this  work — the  college  and  station  men  rendering  such 
assistance  as  may  seem  proper  and  best. 

I  am  glad  to  have  had  an  opportunity  to  meet  this  association.  I  wish  for  it  and 
you  its  members  the  most  abundant  success  in  this  difficult  but  very  important  field 
of  labor.  Your  work  has  only  begun,  and  you  are  just  learning  the  essential-  for 
success.  But  the  work  has  progressed  far  enough  to  begin  to  attract  the  attention  of 
thinking  men.  Its  importance  can  not  be  overestimated,  for  it  reaches  and  helps  the 
farmer.  May  it  continue  to  grow  in  favor  until  your  support  will  enable  you  to  carry 
to  every  farm  and  farmer  such  help  that  every  farm  will  own  a  good  farmer  and 
every  farmer  own  a  good  farm. 

Discussion  of  Superintendent  Hutchinson's  Paper. 

O.  C.  Gregg,  of  Minnesota.  I  most  heartily  agree  with  the  statement  that  the 
institutes,  agricultural  colleges,  and  stations  have  one  object  in  view.  Not  only  that, 
but  their  relations  should  be  harmonious.  It  is  so  in  our  State.  The  point  I  would 
make  is  this:  When  you  take  the  average  agricultural  professor,  whose  study,  train- 
ing, and  environment  have  been  such  that  he  is  perfectly  at  home  in  the  class  room, 
he  can  not  bring  his  thought  in  line  to  reach  the  farmer  behind  the  plow.  I  speak 
of  the  average  professor.  But  there  are  exceptions;  I  have  met  those  who  were  very 
successful.  As  I  have  listened  to  my  friend  from  Mississippi  I  am  inclined  to  think 
he  is  one  of  the  exceptions.  I  like  the  way  our  friend  from  Maryland  treats  the 
representatives  of  the  agricultural  colleges.  We  like  to  have  them  come  to  our  insti- 
tute meetings.  They  are  the  men  above  all  others  to  whom  we  wish  to  refer  knotty 
questions.  They  are  the  men — if  they  have  institute  sense — who  will  answTer  the 
questions  in  such  a  way  that  they  will  be  clear  to  any  farmer.  I  am  heartily  in 
accord  with  the  experiment  stations  and  colleges,  but,  on  the  other  hand,  when  you 
have  a  farm  audience  before  you,  I  know  that  if  I  want  a  man  with  fire  and  enthu- 
siasm I  must  usually  get  him  from  behind  the  plow. 

A.  L.  Martin,  of  Pennsylvania.  This  paper  is  replete  with  practical  suggestions. 
We  have  found  in  Pennsylvania  that  the  college  and  experiment  station  man  has 
been  very  helpful.  At  our  institutes  next  year  only  three  institutes  will  be  attended 
by  the  station  and  college  men;  but  so  much  impressed  am  I  with  the  importance  of 
such  delegates,  that  I  have  employed  a  man  from  Washington,  D.  C,  and  one  from 
another  station,  and  placed  them  on  our  list  for  institute  meetings.  If  we  do  not 
use  the  men  from  the  colleges  and  stations  in  our  institute  work,  we  may  come  to 
the  point  where  they  will  lose  touch  with  the  people.  The  farmers'  institutes  ought 
to  be  the  mouthpiece  of  the  colleges  and  stations,  and  give  the  masses  the  result  of 
their  research  and  knowledge. 

F.  E.  Dawley,  of  Xew  York.  The  one  thought  that  occurs  to  me,  as  one  in  charge, 
is  that  we  should  see  that  the  worker  in  the  station  gets  great  help  from  attendance 
at  the  institutes.  In  watching  the  work  carefully  I  have  noted  that  some  men  not 
only  have  the  ability  to  give  the  farmer  information,  but  also  to  get  something  they 
can  take  away.  In  New  York  State  our  relations  with  the  college  and  station  men  have 
always  been  agreeable  to  all  concerned.  The  great  trouble  has  been  that  we  have  not 
had  enough  of  the  men  who  have  the  power  to  take  something  home  with  them  as 


36 

well  as  give.  We  have  adopted  a  plan  which  we  believe  to  be  a  good  one.  It  is  to 
have  a  meeting  of  our  leading  workers  at  the  experiment  stations,  so  that  they  may 
know  just  what  is  being  done,  and  may  be  enabled  to  come  in  closer  touch  with  the 
work  than  they  can  through  the  bulletins.  They  are  then  in  a  position  to  give  the 
farmers  up-to-date  information  as  to  what  i-  being  done  at  the  stations.  I  know 
positively  that  every  winter  our  institutes  have  sent  many  a  boy  to  the  agricultural 
college,  he  having  got  the  inspiration  at  our  meetings.  I  believe  that  a  friendly 
feeling  must  exist  between  the  institutes  and  colleges  if  the  farmer-  are  to  be  reached 
and  the  work  carried  on  successfully  as  the  years  go  by. 

A.  McNeill,  of  Canada.  There  is  a  little  too  much  anxiety  to  harmonize  the 
work  of  these  two  institutions.  Their  work  is  of  an  opposite  character.  One  of  the 
xperiment-station  men  I  ever  knew  gave  an  exposition  on  something  connected 
with  the  farm,  and  it  fell  flat  because  it  was  more  than  the  audience  could  take  in. 
He  was  qualified  for  investigating  the  work.  The  investigator  must  be  a  close 
observer  and  note  every  feature.  The  average  farmer  can  not  stand  that  at  all;  he 
wants  the  conclusion,  and  that  is  just  what  the  good  investigator  is  generally  inca- 
pable of  giving.  You  are  asking  too  mnch  to  have  a  good  experiment-station  man 
and  a  good  institute  worker  combined.  Do  not  ask  impossibilities.  Do  not  try  to 
harmonize  these  men  to  too  great  an  extent. 

Franklin  Dye,  of  New  Jersey.  The  scientific  man  must  bring  his  scientific  knowl- 
edge down  to  farm  language.  *W  natever  his  subject  he  must  make  himself  clearly 
understood.  I  believe  that  in  order  to  harmonize  perfectly  we  will  carry  the  one- 
man  power  a  little  farther  and  connect  the  college,  experiment  station,  institute,  and 
correspondence  courses.  I  believe  it  would  be  one  good  way  to  manage;  I  do  not 
say  it  is  the  only  way.  Whenever  you  can  get  all  lines  of  work  that  are  aimed  at 
the  same  object  under  one  control  you  will  get  better  work  than  when  under  diverse 
control.  I  believe  that  when  your  institute  and  station  men  meet  it  is  a  good  thing, 
but  I  can  not  but  believe  that  when  you  get  the  college,  station,  correspondence 
courses,  and  institute  work  immediately  related  under  one  head  you  will  have  better 
results. 

LOCAL  HELP  IN  INSTITUTES. 

By  Superintendent  W.  C.  Latta,  of  Indiana. 

The  question,  as  stated  on  the  programme,  "To  what  extent  should  local  help  be 
used  in  institutes?"  assumes  that  some  local  help  is  desirable  at  institute  meetings. 
In  view  of  the  fact,  however,  that  many  institute  managers  assign  no.  work  on  the 
programme  to  local  helpers,  it  seems  best  first  to  take  up  the  question,  "Why  should 
local  help  be  used  at  all  at  institute  meetings?'* 

In  this  discussion  it  is  assumed  that  local  help  is  wisely  chosen  from  the  ranks  of 
practical  men  and  women  who  have  been  financially  successful  in  some  line  of  agricul- 
ture, who  stand  well  in  their  communities,  and  who  have  some  degree  of  ability  to 
set  forth  their  views  before  an  audience.  With  such  local  help  available  the  follow- 
ing reasons  appear  sufficient  to  justify  their  selection  and  appointment  to  pla* 
the  programme  to  assist  the  assigned  speakers,  who  are.  and  must  remain,  the  main- 
spring in  the  institute  work: 

(1)  To  spur  assigned  speakers  to  their  best  efforts.  Even  one  interested  pupil  will 
exert  a  stimulating  influence  alike  upon  teacher  and  class. 

'_  To  localize  interest  and  responsibility.  Any  local  worker  who  undertakes  to 
present  any  subject  at  a  farmers'  institute  will  not  only  become  far  more  deeply 
interested  in  the  work,  but  he  will  feel  a  new  responsibility  for  its  success.  He  will 
feel  the  need  of,  and  will  seek,  additional  preparation  and  will  be  stimulated  to  make 
his  farm  or  business  an  object  lesson  of  the  methods  he  advocates. 


37 

(3)  To  secure  an  intelligent  discussion  of  questions  of  local  moment.  The  assigned 
speaker  will  generally  be  unable  to  do  this.     If  intelligently  done  at  all,  it  most  be 

by  local  help. 

(4)  To  give  local  standing  to  the  work.  Every  successful  man  of  Jfche  neighborhood 
who  consents  to  take  a  place  on  the  programme  gives  his  endorsement  to  the  work; 
hi-  own  standing,  therefore,  contributes  to  the  popularity  ami  strength  of  the  work. 

(5)  To  secure  at  the  meeting  the  play  of  active  thought.  The  close  attention,  the 
evident  interest,  and  the  eager  questioning  of  the  local  helper,  who  has  already 
become  interested  from  the  fact  of  his  assignment  m  a  place  on  the  programme,  will 
awaken  and  arouse  the  interest  of  others.  Interest  ami  enthusiasm  are  just  as  infec- 
tious as  apathy  ami  indifference. 

(6)  To  hold  somewhat  in  check  the  assigned  speaker,  whose  instruction  may  have 
only  a  limited  application  to  the  locality,  and  also  to  put  to  the  tot  of  performance 
such  theories  or  practices  as  may  be  advised  by  the  assigned  speaker,  with  a  view  of 
later  reporting  the  same  at  a  subsequent  meeting. 

(7)  To  promote  the  highest  local  development.  The  interested  local  worker  will 
not  suffer  his  interests  to  lag  at  the  close  of  the  meeting.  He  has,  by  his  appear- 
ance, become  a  '•marked  man"  in  his  neighborhood.  Even  self-interest  will  prompt 
him  to  seek  to  maintain  his  standing  in  the  eyes  <<i  his  neighbors.  The  public  spirit 
aroused  in  him  will  seek  to  diffuse  the  benefits  of  the  institute  work.  Motives  of 
self-interest  and  patriotism  alike  will  appeal  to  him  to  make  himself  an  exemplar, 
and  his  farm  an  object  lesson  of  good  methods. 

(8)  To  train  men  and  women  for  the  ranks  of  assigned  institute  speakers.  The  need 
of  this  training  is  apparent  to  every  institute  manager.  The  institutes  at  and  near 
the  home  of  the  local  helper,  will  afford  an  excellent  opportunity  for  the  desired 
training,  if  he  is  allowed  to  develop  his  wings  by  being  assigned  to  duty  on  the 
programmes. 

If  the  foregoing  reasons  are  sound — and  I  believe  all  who  have  experience  in  insti- 
tute work  will  so  admit — it  will  be  apparent  that  the  local  helper  should  be  assigned 
some  work  on  the  programme  of  the  institute  meeting. 

This  being  granted,  the  question  "To  what  extent  should  local  help  be  used?" 
becomes  at  once  a  very  practical  one  for  every  institute  manager  and  programme 
committee. 

The  answer  to  this  question  will  depend  largely  upon  the  specific  purpose  in  view. 
If  the  purpose  of  the  meeting  is  to  give  instruction  concerning  a  new  industry  to  be 
established  in  the  locality,  there  would  be  practically  nothing  for  local  help  to  do, 
except  to  ask  questions.  If  the  purpose  is  to  resuscitate  a  dormant,  or  stimulate  a 
lagging  industry,  local  help  could  render  some  very  effective  service.  The  amount 
of  local  help  at  a  farmers'  institute  might,  very  properly,  vary  in  proportion  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  subjects  under  discussion  possessed  by  the  people  of  the  locality. 

In  a  new  or  sparsely  settled  district  where  very  crude  pioneer  methods  prevail,  it 
is  doubtful  if  local  help  would  be  of  much  service.  In  settled  districts  where  people 
have  had  years  of  experience  and  where,  presumably  at  least,  some  of  the  farmers 
are  using  the  better  methods,  it  would  seem  fitting  that  local  help  should  have  a 
prominent  place  on  the  programme. 

In  Indiana,  where  we  have  passed  through  the  earlier  stages  of  pioneer  agricul- 
ture, where  the  necessity  of  better  methods  is  becoming  more  apparent  from  year  to 
year,  and  where  in  every  community  are  to  be  found  successful  men  with  years  of 
experience,  it  seems  proper  to  permit  local  help  to  occupy  about  half  the  time  of  the 
programme.  In  the  newer  States  and  in  localities  where  there  is  general  indifference 
to  progressive  methods,  there  would  need  to  be  more  complete  reliance  upon  the 
assigned  speaker. 

The  methods  of  administration  will  have  much  to  do  with  this  question.  If  a 
local  chairman  or  programme  committee  selects  local  helpers,  they  will  receive 


88 

recognition  and  respectful  hearing,  while  the  same  speakers  would  not  he  tolerated 

if  assigned  by  the  superintendent,  or  director  of  institutes. 

The  Indiana  plan  is  to  assign  two  speakers  for  each  meeting  and  leave  the  selection 
of  local  helpers  to  the  local  committees,  with  the  general  advice  to  divide  the  time 
between  the  local  and  assigned  help  about  equally. 

I  frankly  admit  that  the  programme  can  not  be  bo  effectively  rendered,  and  the 
lessons  can  not  be  so  clearly  brought  out  and  emphasized  in  this  way  as  by  an  entire 
corps  of  trained  and  experienced  institute  speakers.  A  meeting  conducted  jointly 
by  assigned  and  local  helpers  will  not  be  so  impressive  to  the  audience,  nor  so  grati- 
fying to  the  institute  conductor  as  when  every  worker  is  a  professional.  An  impress- 
ively conducted  meeting  is,  however,  not  the  end  of  the  institute  work.  It  is  only 
one  of  the  means  to  that  end. 

That  there  must  be  a  certain  amount  of  enthusiasm  generated  and  a  certain  degree 
of  briskness  in  the  proceedings,  will  be  at  once  conceded.  It  is  also  granted  that 
this  will  depend  largely  upon  the  corps  of  instructors.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind, 
however,  that  the  farmers'  institute  is  not  primarily  a  place  of  entertainment  where 
each  speaker  in  turn  makes  his  debut.  It  is  rather  a  school  in  which  there  is  such  a 
degree  of  familiarity  and  freedom  as  will  permit  the  freest  play  of  thought  between 
the  teacher  and  taught. 

The  local  helper  who  is  sluggish,  long-winded,  or  unable  to  make  his  audience  hear 
or  heed  what  he  says,  is  a  nuisance  not  to  be  tolerated  with  patience.  On  the  oth^r 
hand,  a  local  worker  of  the  right  stamp  will  have  the  sympathy  and  well  wishes  of 
his  audience  from  the  outset.  They  will  bear  patiently  with  his  weaknesses  and 
eagerly  encourage  him  in  every  good  point  that  he  makes.  The  people  will  do  this 
because  they  have  a  pride  in  a  worker  drawn  from  their  own  midst.  This  matter  of 
local  pride  is  a  thing  to  be  reckoned  with.  Within  due  bounds  it  is  perfectly  proper, 
and  it  will  stimulate  both  the  general  and  the  local  speakers.  It  seems,  therefore,  the 
proper  thing  for  the  general  institute  management  to  encourage  the  bringing  out  and 
development  of  the  local  worker.  In  this  way  manyuncut  gems  may  be  discovered, 
who,  with  such  opportunity  for  training  as  the  home  and  near  by  institutes  afford, 
may  develop  into  highly  efficient  and  popular  institute  instructors. 

In  conclusion,  let  me  repeat  that  no  rule  as  to  the  proportion  of  local  speakers  at 
institutes  can  be  laid  down  for  different  sections,  or  different  stages  of  agricultural 
progress.  In  most  cases  there  is  a  place,  more  or  less  prominent,  for  the  local  worker 
on  the  institute  programme,  and  it  should  be  the  concern  of  both  the  general  and  the 
local  institute  managements  to  select  the  very  best  available,  for  the  double  purpose 
of  promoting  in  the  highest  possible  degree  the  agriculture  of  the  locality  and,  at  the 
same  time,  training  the  local  worker  for  enlarged  usefulness  in  future. 

Discussion  of  Superintendent  Latta's  Paper. 

A.  L.  Martin,  of  Pennsylvania.  We  have  devised  the  plan  of  utilizing  local  talent 
with  good  results.  When  we  have  a  second  night  session,  we  usually  devote  it  to  the 
country  home,  embracing  the  subject  of  surroundings,  ventilation,  andall  those  things, 
and  then  to  domestic  science.  In  the  populous  counties  of  Pennsylvania  we  have 
cooking  schools  scattered  throughout  the  towns.  We  get  our  local  officers  to  make 
arrangements  with  one  of  the  teachers  to  speak  for  an  hour  or  two  to  the  institute 
gathering  at  the  "country  home  session."  We  have  found  it  most  successful.  I  do 
not  think  many  farmers'  institutes  will  succeed  unless  they  bring  to  their  help  the 
hitherto  unused  force  of  woman. 

W.  L.  Amoss,  of  Maryland.  The  using  of  local  talent  is  an  interesting  subject  to 
me.  We  ha  e  few  men  or  women  in  our  section  who  are  able  or  willing  to  aid  in 
the  work.  I  am  not  sure  that  I  am  overanxious  to  have  them.  We  are  urging  the 
organization  of  granges,  farmers'  clubs,  etc.,  and  the  holding  of  meetings  among 
themselves,  believing  that  this  is  a  suitable  place  for  the  use  of  local  talent,  where 


39 

they  can  discuss  among  themselves  subjects  in  which  they  are  interested.  They  can 
exhaust  the  information  of  the  locality,  and  we  believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  State, 
when  they  have  reached  thai  condition,  to  bring  in  talent  which  is  not  available  at 
the  regular  meetings,  such  as  we  use  at  institute  meetings.  I  have  visited  some  out- 
side institutes  w  here  both  have  been  used— the  outside  talent  secured  at  greal  expense 
and  inconvenience — and  the  local  talent  has  kept  the  floor  most  of  the  time,  and  did 
not  give  the  audience  a  chance  to  hear  the  men  whom  they  came  long  distances  to 
hear.    These  are  some  of  the  disadvantages. 

We  have  a  section  in  our  state  where  they  have  been  growing  one  crop  for  one 
hundred  years.  They  believe  that  will  give  them  a  living,  and  it  is  useless  to  discuss 
anything  else.  If  they  were  called  on  to  speak  they  would  take  up  their  own  sub- 
ject and  leave  everthing  else  off.  They  can  not  see  that  it  would  be  to  their  advan- 
tage to  undertake  anything  new.  "Now,"  I  have  said  in  such  a  place,  "we  want 
you  to  select  a  committee  who  will  recommend  to  me  a  man  who  is  capable  of 
writing  a  good  report  and  whom  you  know  to  be  reliable."  I  then  take  that  man 
through  a  district  where  they  raise  cattle  and  sheep  or  into  the  markets  where  the 
products  are  sold.  He  gets  a  broader  view  of  the  value  of  certain  products.  I  then 
bring  him  back  to  his  own  community  and  let  him  read  his  report  at  the  next  insti- 
tute. 

I  also  have  with  me  on  such  a  trip  a  reporter  who  makes  a  careful  report  of  the 
trip,  and  I  arrange  to  get  papers  enough  to  send  out  to  my  full  mailing  list  in  that 
section.  I  also  advertise  the  fact  that  the  one  selected  by  the  committee  will  read 
his  report,  and  that  the  subject  will  be  discussed.  Sometimes  I  have  known  a  man 
who  was  positive  that  a  certain  line,  say  dairying,  was  not  suitable  for  his  commu- 
nity. I  never  argue  the  point,  but  after  he  has  traveled  over  other  sections  of  the 
State  and  seen  conditions  and  results,  he  has  come  home  with  the  conviction  that 
dairying  could  be  carried  on  as  well  in  his  section  as  in  others  he  had  visited.  That 
is  one  method  I  have  employed  in  using  local  talent. 

I  always  want  to  meet  my  lecturers  and  speakers  and  know  them  before  I  intro- 
duce them  to  an  audience.  I  do  not  know  just  how  much  there  is  in  a  face,  but  I 
want  to  see  the  face  before  I  introduce  it  to  an  audience. 


BEST  METHOD  OF  PUBLISHING  RESULTS    OF    INSTITUTE  WORK. 

By  H.  W.  Collingwood,  of  the  Rural  New  Yorker. 

I  merely  wish  to  make  a  few  brief  suggestions,  the  idea  being  to  start  discussion 
rather  than  to  attempt  to  settle  the  whole  question.  I  think  if  we  will  be  frank  with 
ourselves  we  must  admit  that  as  conducted  at  present,  the  average  farmers'  institute 
does  not  reach  as  large  an  audience  of  farmers  as  it  should.  From  my  observation 
it  appears  that  a  few  comparatively  of  the  more  enterprising  farmers  turn  out  year 
after  year,  but  those  who  really  need  the  institution  even  more  than  those  who 
attend  rarely  if  ever  come.  It  is  frequently  impossible  for  these  farmers  to  be 
present,  but  the  chief  reason  that  they  give  me  in  private  for  their  absence  is  the 
fact  that  in  some  way  the  institute  idea  has  not  yet  hooked  on  to  them.  They  do 
not  feel  a  real  sympathy  with  the  movement.  You  can  often  get  them  to  admit  that 
they  have  been  benefited  by  it  indirectly,  but  somehow  their  sympathies  have  not 
been  aroused  and  they  do  not  care  particularly  for  it.  Pin  such  farmers  down  to  a 
definite  reason  for  this  and  they  will  tell  you  that  they  do  not  believe  the  speakers 
are  practical  men.  These  stay-at-homes  are  often  the  worst  kind  of  farm  failures 
themselves,  yet  they  are  the  loudest  in  saying  that  no  man  should  talk  to  them 
about  farming  unless  he  has  made  a  practical  success  at  the  business. 

You  may  reach  a  man's  heart  through  his  stomach,  but  there  are  only  two  avenues 
which  lead  into  the  brain — the  eve  and  the  ear.     The  institute  is  an  educational  as 


40 

well  as  a  stimulating  feature  of  farm  life,  and  should  always  aim  at  the  brain  of  the 
burner,  even  though  he  himself  presents  his  stomach  as  the  in<»st  prominent  target 

•ms  that  the  appeal  t<>  the  ear  from  tin-  platform  reaches  these  fanners  slowly, 
if  at  all.  I  conclude,  therefore,  that  we  must  try  to  enter  the  brain  through  the  eye; 
and  in  order  to  crowd  in  what  we  would  like,  we  must  grease  that  eye  well  with 
printer's  ink. 

In  order  t<>  succeed  with  tin-  printer's  ink  method  the  speaker  must  first  say  - 
thing  that  is  worth  printing.  Here  comes  in  the  veal  pith  of  the  matter.  Fewspei 
make  really  good  leading.  When  a  really  great  orator  coatee  to  deliver  a  sj>eech  lie 
does  not  trust  t<>  the  stenographers,  but  gives  out  printed  copies  for  the  papers. 
These  copies  are  usually  quite  different  from  tin-  actual  speech  as  spoken.  Wise  men 
know  that  when  one  man  speaks  to  another  he  will  naturally  use  more  words  than 
he  will  when  writing  that  same  friend  a  letter,  and  he  will  use  tlifferent  form-  of 
expression.  When  Aunt  Jane  Lr"e-  to  visit  the  minister's  wife  and  i-  asked  to  tell 
how  she  makes  her  famous  doughnuts  she  can  talk  intelligently  about  it  for  nearly 
ten  minutes  and  not  repeat  herself.  It  will  take  nearly  that  time  to  explain  the 
matter  by  word  of  mouth.  When  asked  to  write  out  her  recipe  she  will  put  it  in 
five  lines  and  be  clearly  understood.  If  she  were  to  write  out  all  that  she  -poke  she 
would  certainly  have  no  time  to  make  any  doughnuts  herself,  and  few  would  read 
all  that  she  put  on  paper.  I  have  listened  to  some  excellent  speeches  at  institutes, 
which,  when  printed  in  reports,  made  the  poorest  kind  of  reading,  because  they  were 
addressed  to  the  ear  and  did  not  fit  the  eye.  Speakers  ought  to  rememl>er  that  for 
many  years  farmers  of  the  class  I  have  in  mind  have  been  trained  to  take  in  ideas 
with  their  ears.  Communication  between  mind  and  mind  has  been  largely  by  word 
of  mouth.  They  do  not  absorb  printed  words  quickly,  and  when  you  give  them  the 
same  words  in  print  that  they  absorb  through  the  ear  many  of  the  ideas,  and  usually 
the  best  of  them,  will  be  lost. 

I  think,  therefore,  that  if  the  work  of  the  institute  is  ever  enlarged  and  extended 
the  form  and  wording  of  these  lectures  must  be  changed.  There  must  be  somewhere 
a  good  editor  who  can  stand  between  the  speaker  and  the  outside  audience.  I  know, 
of  course,  how  the  average  speaker  and  writer  regards  the  editor  and  his  "blue  pen- 
cil." The  speaker  says  that  he  knows  just  exactly  what  he  want-  to  say  and  that  it 
should  be  printed  just  as  he  says  it.  He  does  not  always  realize  that  while  a  farmer 
will  often  send  his  ears  out  to  chase  the  long,  involved  sentence  into  his  head,  he 
thinks  too  much  of  his  eves  to  chase  these  long  sentences,  round  commas  and  periods, 
and  up-and-down  lines  on  the  printed  page.  Instead  of  finding  fault  with  the  editor 
and  his  '"blue  pencil"  these  same  speakers  would,  if  they  were  wise,  feel  grateful  to 
him  for  fitting  their  thoughts  so  that  they  will  read  well  in  print.  I  have  handled 
many  miles  of  copy  in  my  day,  but  I  am  frank  to  say  that  the  copy  that  comes  from 
the  speaker  who  writes  as  he  talks  and  who  can  not  see  any  difference  between  eye 
and  ear  service  has  grafted  more  gray  hairs  in  my  head  than  I  like  to  find  there  at 
my  age.  It  is  as  hard  for  the  average  man  to  boil  down  his  own  copy  into  a  fit  sha}>e 
for  publication  as  it  is  for  a  maple  tree  to  boil  its  own  watery  sap  down  into  sugar. 

At  a  scientific  meeting  I  would  shut  the  long-winded  papers  off.  They  are  useful 
for  printing  in  reports,  and  have  a  permanent  value  there,  but  they  simply  send 
people  to  sleep  when  the  speaker  attempts  to  drive  them  in  through  the  ear.  A  brief 
and  bright  synopsis  0f  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  length  is  all  that  the  audience  should 
be  called  upon  to  stand.  The  reverse  ought  to  be  true  of  the  institute.  Here  the 
speaker  should  talk  as  long  as  he  can  keep  his  audience  interested  and  awake. 
When  the  ear  is  fully  satisfied  the  eye  will  close  or  wander.  Instead  of  printing 
these  long  institute  speeches  in  full  I  would  boil  them  down  and  "blue  pencil"  them 
until  they  would  lx*  read.  An  editor  who  knows  his  business  will  not  kill  your 
speeches  with  his  blue  pencil.  He  will  simply  put  life  into  them.  The  scientist 
does  most  of  his  thinking  with   hi-  eyes.     That  is  why  1   suggest  for  his  meeting 


-11 

articles  that  are  short  in  speech  and  long  in  print.    The  fanner  does  most  of  his 
thinking  with  his  ears,  and  that  is  why  I  would  reverse  the  arrangement  for  him. 

J  have  discussed  this  at  some  length  because  my  observations  and  experience,  cov- 
ering many  years,  convince  me  thai  it  is  the  keynote  of  the  whole  thing,  and  one 
reason  why  yon  gentlemen  have  failed  in  pushing  the  work  <>f  your  institute  outside 
<»f  the  lecture  room  is  that  you  have  not  properly  edited  your  speeches.     My  s 
tions  in  brief  are: 

(1)  Edit  the  ape  'dies.  Boil  them  down  skillfully  and  give  your  readers  only  the 
pith  and  point  of  them. 

(2)  Kill  the  long  reports  and  feed  out  the  carcassto  a  dozen  or  fifteen  bright,  pithy 

leaflets  or  pamphlets,  milking  into  them  the  very  cream  of  the  season's  work. 

(3)  Do  not  attempt  to  he  sodesperately  dignified  in  your  printed  matter.    T auch 

of  the  public  literature  for  farmers  carries  into  the  farm  home  almost  the  same  feeling 

of  awe  that  makes  the  hired  man  go  upstairs  and   put   on   his  best  coat  when  In 
the  minister's  tall  hat  and  long  coat  in  the  doorway. 

(4)  Make  arrangements  with  country  papers  to  print  your  boiled-down  notes. 
Some  of  them  run  a  so-called  farm  department  now,  and  if  they  could  they  would 
doubtless  be  glad  to  obtain  the  copy  for  an  institute  department.  You  must  realize 
that  every  letter  and  every  line  that  is  set  up  in  a  paper  costs  money,  which  the  editor 
or  publisher  would  rather  have  if  he  could  to  purchase  a  silk  dress  for  his  wife.  You 
might  use  some  of  your  money  to  good  advantage  in  having  plate  material  made  for 
these  papers.  Several  of  the  State  experiment  stations,  notably  those  in  Vermont, 
Indiana,  and  several  Western  States,  are  making  excellent  use  of  these  little  boiled- 
down  articles  for  the  papers. 

(5)  The  experiment  stations  can  hardly  be  expected  to  issue  proper  bulletins  writ- 
ten down  to  the  level  of  the  won't-go-to-the-institute  farmer.  It  is  probably  better 
for  them  to  issue  scientific  information  only  in  more  or  less  technical  language.  Let 
the  institute  issue  the  popular  and  homely  bulletins  which  such  farmers  need.  Get 
down  close  to  the  people  in  your  printed  words  and  realize  that  it  is  no  disgrace  to  do 
the  simplest  sort  of  kindergarten  work  in  connection  with  the  station  high  school. 

Discussion  of  Mr.  Colling  wood's  Paper. 

F.  E.  Dawley,  of  New  York.  Several  years  ago  I  began  printing  bulletins  to  adver- 
tise the  institutes.  As  the  winter's  work  went  on  this  bulletin  became  largely  a 
report  of  what  had  been  said  at  some  of  our  best  meetings,  so  that  the  spring  issue 
was  really  an  account  of  the  winter's  work.  Besides  this  we  publish  a  series  of  arti- 
cles in  tables  on  fertilizers  and  the  different  properties  of  food.  This  work  grew  on 
my  hands  to  such  an  extent  that  I  was  obliged  to  abandon  it. 

Q.   (By  C.  D.  Smith,  of  Michigan.)    I  thought  you  had  an  editor  who  travels. 

A.  Yes;  we  have  one  reporter  whom  we  send  to  towns  where  the  papers  have  in 
previous  years  given  a  report  of  the  meeting.  Our  man  writes  a  good  report  of  the 
meeting  for  the  local  papers.  This  is  a  good  line  of  work  if  you  can  get  tin'  right 
men  to  do  it.  One  difficulty  is  that  it  costs  the  local  papers  so  much  to  set  it  up  that 
they  object.  I  have  found  it  a  good  plan  to  furnish  a  leading  press  association  a  page 
of  matter  containing  facts  relating  to  institute  work,  and  this  has  a  wide  circulation 
in  local  papers. 

Mr.  Collingwood's  paper  has  a  number  of  good  points.  1  believe  the  only  one  I 
would  object  to  is  regarding  the  annual  report.  Last  year,  through  an  accident  in 
the  State  printer's  department,  we  were  unable  to  get  out  our  report  until  about 
March.  Just  to  test  the  feeling  of  the  people  regarding  this  report  I  prepared  a  letter 
for  each  institute,  stating  that  if  the  local  institute  was  willing  to  pay  the  express 
charges  on  the  reports  we  would  send  them.  Much  to  our  surprise  every  institute 
sent  for  the  books  and  prepaid  the  express  charges,  and  in  many  cases  asked  for 
more  than  we  could  give  them.     So  I  believe  that  the  annual  reports,  not  only  of 


4*2      • 

institutes,  bat  of  the  agricultural  colleges  and  experiment  stations,  are  in  demand 
among  the  farmers,  and  I  know  positively  in  many  cases  these  reports  are  not  only 
read  but  studied. 

0.  C.  Gregg,  of  Minnesota.  I  quite  agree  with  Mr.  Dawley,  as  I  have  had  a  corre- 
sponding experience. 

C.  D.  Smith,  of  Michigan.  We  arrange  bo  that  newspaper  men  furnish  their  own 
reports  for  most  of  the  meetings.     Out  of  204  held  Last  year  170  were  well  reported. 

REQUISITES  OF  A  GOOD  INSTITUTE  WORKER. 
By  Superintendent  F.  E.  Dawley,  of  New  York. 

I  feel  that  the  speaker  is  the  man  on  whom  the  success  of  the  meeting  depends. 
In  our  work  in  New  York  State  I  have  tried  to  set  the  right  sort  of  men  for  speakers, 
and  I  assure  you  they  are  hard  to  get,  and  when  I  do  get  them  some  one  else  is  sure  to 
want  them.  We  have  had  to  ask  the  State  to  raise  the  per  diem  to  keep  our  workers 
with  us. 

I  believe  the  ideal  institute  worker  is  the  man  who  has  no  thought  of  self  in  his 
work;  the  man  who  feels  that  he  has  something  he  knows  to  be  so  and  that  he 
wishes  to  give  to  the  people;  the  man  who  has  the  courage  of  his  convictions,  and 
even  if  he  does  not  agree  with  the  leading  scientists  of  the  day,  has  sand  enough  to 
get  up  and  say  so.  If  this  man  has  been  successful  as  a  farmer  or  specialist,  in  my 
opinion  it  does  not  make  much  difference  whether  he  is  technically  correct  or  not. 
Some  one  will  correct  him  if  he  is  wrong;  he  will  awaken  an  interest  in  the  line  on 
which  he  has  been  speaking  and  will,  no  doubt,  do  good.  I  believe  in  developing 
the  local  workers  and  from  these  picking  those  who  have  something  to  say  and 
know  how  to  say  it.  I  believe  it  is  true  in  institute  work,  as  in  all  other  clan 
work,  that  a  man  is  going  to  get  just  about  as  much  from  the  public  as  he  gives;  not 
much  more. 

To  my  mind  the  ideal  institute  worker  is  the  man  who  has  a  thorough  scientific 
training.  I  do  not  care  whether  he  comes  from  the  State  college  or  the  experiment, 
station.  He  must  be  able  to  adapt  himself  to  circumstances,  and  if  possible  be 
engaged  in  farm  work  himself.  If  you  can  not  get  all  these  qualifications,  get  as 
many  as  you  can.  The  analytical  mind  which  college  training  helps  to  develop  is 
invaluable.  I  know  the  value  of  college  training  through  not  having  had  it,  and 
believe  I  appreciate  it  more  than  the  men  who  have  had  the  advantage  of  it. 

Should  the  worker  be  a  specialist?  I  believe  that  the  man  who  goes  before  a 
farmers'  institute  should  be  enough  of  a  specialist  in  the  subject  he  is  to  discuss,  90 
that  he  may  at  least  be  able  to  lead  the  thought  of  the  others.  He  has  got  to  be 
ahead  of  his  audience  in  some  way  in  order  to  do  the  greatest  amount  of  good.  At 
the  same  time  I  believe  that  the  best  read  and  best  informed  men  in  the  audience 
are  often  wonderfully  helped  by  the  enthusiasm  of  the  speaker  and  by  the  harrow- 
ing and  currying  that  he,  perhaps,  is  able  to  give  them,  even  though  he  may  be  no 
better  versed  in  the  subject  than  they  are  themselves.  As  a  rule,  in  every  corps  of 
workers  there  should  be  some  good  man  who  can  give  a  satisfactory  and  complete 
answer  to  any  questions  that  may  be  brought  out.  Aside  from  this  I  am  much  in  favor 
of  looking  to  specialists  for  most  of  the  work. 

HOW  TO  INTEREST  AND  INSTRUCT  YOUNG  PEOPLE  ATTENDING 

INSTITUTES. 

By  John  W.  Spencer,  of  Cornell  University. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  I  comply  with  the  request  of  your  organization  to  give 
some  ideas  as  to  the  best  method  of  interesting  young  people  in  farmers'  institutes. 
What  I  shall  say  will  be  not  from  theory,  but  from  experience.     We  have,  as  you 


48 

perhaps  know,  an  appropriation  made  by  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  New  York 
for  university  extension  in  agriculture,  \\  hich  embodies  taking  both  tin-  experiment 
station  and  the  college  ol  agriculture  to  the  burner.  The  station  extension  is  trader 
the  directorship  of  Professor  Roberts.     Prof.  L  11.  Bailey  is  chief  of  the  division  of 

agricultural  college  extension.  The  latter  has  several  divisions.  One  a  formers'  read- 
ing course  on  the  correspondence  plan,  with  a  supplementary  course  for  the  farmers' 
wives.    This  is  under  the  direction  of  Professor  Craig.     Wishing  to  put  agriculture 

in  the  schools,  and  knowing  that  it  would  be  opposed  by  both  the  legislature  and  the 
department  of  public  instruction — not  for  want  of  sympathy,  hut  on  the  ground  of 
class  privilege — we  have  put  it  in  the  schools  under  the  name  of  nature  study.  It  is 
in  no  sense  required.  We  would  not  make  it  so  it'  we  could.  Teacher-  lacked 
qualification  in  knowledge  of  common  things  pertaining  to  rural  life,  and  for  three 
years  we  issued  publications  on  simple  things  for  the  benefit  of  teachers.  We  also 
organized  junior  naturalist  chilis.  We  have  an  annual  membership  of  twenty  to 
thirty  thousand.  It  is  in  dealing  with  these  junior  naturalists  that  we  feel  we  have 
had  experience  as  to  some  of  the  best  methods  of  interesting  and  enthusing  them. 
It  has  also  been  my  pleasure  to  give  a  period  to  the  children  at  the  few  institute-  at 
which  I  have  spoken.  It  has  been  my  experience  that  it  is  a  very  easy  matter  to 
interest  children  in  agriculture  if  they  are  approached  in  the  right  way.  ('ramming 
may  do  in  the  school,  for  there  the  youngsters  can  not  help  themselves;  but  where 
you  wish  to  have  them  voluntarily  interested  in  the  topics,  they  must  be  first  given 
enthusiasm.  They  are  easily  enthused  if  they  can  be  made  to  understand.  None  of 
us  are  very  much  interested  in  things  we  do  not  understand. 

In  teaching  nature  study  we  are  coming  around  to  the  point  of  interesting  all 
children  in  plant  culture  by  having  plants  of  their  own  to  cultivate.  In  this  they 
have  the  pride  of  ownership,  and  we  consistently  hang  upon  their  experience  topics 
pertaining  to  nature  that  will  come  within  the  course  of  their  work.  If  a  child  has 
a  plat  of  ground  in  which  he  has  planted  seeds,  he  is  glad  to  be  told  that  soil  is 
stone  flour  and  organic  matter  mixed.  (By  the  way,  I  would  explain  that  organic 
matter  is  something  that  once  had  life).  When  he  gets  this  far  he  is  quite  curious 
to  know  what  sort  of  a  mill  turned  out  the  stone  flour,  and  it  is  an  interesting  ques- 
tion to  have  him  guess  how  nature  started  with  the  first  plant  that  might  grow  and 
perish  and  others  grow  upon  the  ruins.  He  will  inevitably  encounter  insects,  and 
then  he  is  wide-awake  to  learn  about  the  four  periods  that  occur  in  the  history  of 
most  of  them  and  to  classify  them  as  chewing  insects  or  sucking  insects. 

The  question  of  moisture  will  soon  become  a  very  important  one  to  him,  and  he  is 
open  to  illustration  on  film  moisture  as  compared  with  standing  water.  In  other 
words,  we  first  create  a  demand  for  knowledge  and  then  put  the  youngster  in  a  way 
of  acquiring  the  knowledge.  He  wants  it  because  he  needs  it  in  his  business. 
Acquired  in  this  way  it  will  be  superior  to  knowledge  obtained  and  held  in  storage 
for  some  future  but  indefinite  time. 

In  regard  to  the  farmers'  institute,  I  usually  go  to  the  schools  and  ask  the  teacher 
to  tell  the  children  that  their  Uncle  John  will  be  glad  to  see  them  down  at  the  hall 
in  the  evening — that  he  will  talk  of  many  interesting  things.  I  make  it  a  point  to 
be  in  the  hall  as  soon  as  any  of  the  speakers.  I  look  around  and  find  some  hoys 
around  the  door  and  some  girls  scattered  through  the  audience.  I  make  an  effort  to 
get  them  on  the  front  seats.  Often  there  will  be  boys  who  will  be  backward,  and 
sometimes  they  are  leaders,  and  if  I  do  not  get  the  leaders  started  the  retinue  will 
not  follow.  I  manage  them  by  such  means  as  influenced  me  when  I  was  of  their 
age.  I  put  on  a  chummy  air  and  make  my  feelings  correspond  to  my  appearance.  I 
seldom  fail  in  time  to  get  them  down  in  front.  I  usually  ask  that  my  period  be  given 
the  first  of  the  evening.  I  do  not  stand  up  and  give  them  a  hard  and  fast  discourse, 
but  begin  in  a  conversational  way— talk  about  some  of  the  common  things— perhaps 
canvass  my  small  audience  as  to  how  many  have  had  gardens,  and  if  any  of  the  boys 


44 

have  ever  made  any  money  selling  vegetables.  I  then  tell  them  of  some  bojl  who 
have  done  bo,  and  talk  to  the  girls  of  Borne  who  have  planted  flowers  and  sent  them 
to  hospitals  and  to  sick  people,  and  perhaps  made  exhibits.  One  of  the  themes  that 
always  seems  to  interest  them  is  to  bring  in  Bom©  apple  twigs  and  begin  to  talk  about 
the  terminal  bud  and  examine  it;  look  at  the  scales — call  them  the  furry  overcoats; 
pick  some  ofi  and  show  the  scars  that  they  leave.  That  gives  a  point  of  showing 
where  the  terminal  buds  are  each  winter.  Then  follow  the  branch  back  a  few 
inches  until  we  find  the  leal  scars  of  the  previous  winter  and  then  the  winter  before 
that.  Sometimes,  with  a  favorable  branch,  we  may  be  able  to  trace  it  back  live 
year-.     Thifl  not  only  interests  the  children,  but  parents  as  well. 

Last  winter  it  was  my  good  fortune  to  be  followed  by  Miss  Barrows,  who  gave 
demonstrations  in  cooking.  In  the  kindness  of  her  heart  she  described  and  made 
some  simple  dishes  which  the  youngsters  sampled.  The  rest  of  the  audience  were 
distinctly  told  that  they  must  forego  the  privilege  of  eating  anything  until  after  the 
children  were  through. 

1  think  there  is  no  surer  way  of  paralyzing  interest  on  the  part  of  children  than  to 
preach  to  them  or  to  give  them  a  long  discourse  or  to  tell  them  some  things  they  do 
not  understand.  When  such  methods  are  pursued  the  speaker  need  expect  nothing 
less  than  whispering,  inattention,  and  horseplay  on  the  sly.  To  my  mind  children 
form  a  critical  audience,  but  when  properly  handled  make  a  most  enthusiastic 
audience. 


RELATIONS    BETWEEN    THE    INSTITUTES    AND    AGRICULTURAL 

ASSOCIATIONS. 

By  Supt.  Franklin  Dye,  of  New  Jersey. 

Before  attempting  to  discuss  the  relations  that  should  exist  between  the  farmers' 
institute  and  other  agricultural  organizations,  it  will  aid  us  in  rinding  an  answer  to 
inquire  first  into  the  nature  and  purpose  of  them  all. 

First,  as  to  the  farmers'  institute,  whence  and  what  is  it,  and  what  its  purpose? 
It  seems  to  be  a  child  of  State  agricultural  organizations;  is  under  their  control;  is  a 
school  somewhat  on  the  university  extension  plan,  for  the  dissemination  of  new 
truths — new  plans  and  methods  of  work,  new  experiences  and  suggestions  in  con- 
nection with  the  entire  curriculum  of  agriculture.  By  these  means  the  business  of 
agriculture  is  improved;  untenable  theories  are  exploded;  unprofitable  practices  are 
discarded;  valueless  stock  is  eliminated:  feeding  rations  both  for  growing  crops  and 
stock  are  formulated" according  to  chemical  science;  better  systems  of  cultivation  are 
introduced,  and  better  methods  of  marketing  are  established.  Furthermore,  improve- 
ments in  home  appointments  and  surroundings  are  suggested,  and  some  phases  of 
domestic  science  or  household  economics  are  treated.  From  this  brief  statement  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  farmers'  institute  has  a  broad  and  comprehensive  field,  and 
one  that  will  need  to  be  cultivated  until  perfection  is  secured,  and  this,  within  the 
limitations  that  always  surround  us,  should  be  the  high  aim  of  every  farmer. 

Passing  now  to  the  consideration  of  the  grange,  those  belonging  to  the  order  know 
its  purposes.  It  is  a  home  organization.  It  aims  to  elevate  the  farmer  and  his  fam- 
ily, intellectually,  socially,  morally,  and  pecuniarily.  It  l>elieves  that  the  farmer 
should  take  higher  standing  among  the  men  of  other  callings,  take  it  by  meriting  it. 
It  believes  that  by  cooperation  much  money  can  be  saved  to  the  farmer  and  his  fam- 
ily that  is  now  lost  through  a  single-handed  battle.  It  aims  to  develop  the  farmers' 
ability  to  think  clearly  and  express  publicly  and  forcefully  his  ideas  and  views  on 
matters  of  general  interest,  and  especially  those  that  concern  his  profession,  in  every 
suitable  place  and  way,  even  in  legislative  and  convention  halls.     It  seeks  also  to 


45 

cultivate  intelligent  composition  and  expression  on  tin-  part  of  young  men  and  young 
women  in  the  farmers'  families  by  the  writing  and  reading  of  essays  on  Buitable 
topics. 

Other  organizations,  Buch  as  farmers'  clubs,  have  their  mission  in  advancing  ami 
improving  the  several  lines  of  farm  work  of  local  importance,  their  scope  nol  being 
of  so  wide  a  range  as  is  that  of  those  previously  named. 

Now,  if  this  general  outline  is  a  correct  statement  of  the  purpose  of  the  organiza- 
tions named,  it  is  dear  their  general  purpose  is  very  much  the  same.  That  being 
true,  it  would  seem  that  the  relations  anion-  them  should  he,  to  say  the  least,  har- 
monious, and  their  work,  if  possible,  mutual  and  cooperative.  To  secure  this  fra- 
ternal relation  of  sentiment  and  work,  it  will  usually  he  necessary  for  those  in  charge 
of  the  State  organizations,  having  the  State  appropriation,  to  secure  the  cooperation 
of  other  agricultural  organizations. 

It  may  not  he  possible  in  every  case  to  do  this.  It  occasionally  happens  that  some 
one  of  these  is  not  willing  to  lose  its  individual  identity  by  thus  being  absorbed  by  the 
larger  organization,  even  for  the  time  being.  This  difficulty  may  sometimes  be  over- 
come by  giving  one  or  more  of  their  officers  some  part  in  the  programme,  or  asking 
them  to  assist  in  preparing  it.  suggesting  a  topic,  etc.  It  is  important  that  the  insti- 
tute work  should  be  popular;  anything  that  militates  against  this  should  be  carefully 
considered,  and,  if  possible,  overcome.  For,  while  popularity  is  not  in  itself  Buccess 
in  the  highest  sense,  yet,. if  it  is  properly  utilized,  it  helps  wonderfully.  Occasion- 
ally, however,  overtures  come  from  the  smaller  to  the  larger  organizations  for  coop- 
eration and  assistance.  Shall  this  be  given?  Usually,  yes.  A  question  like  this 
came  up  in  the  work  in  Indiana.  I  was  asked  for  my  opinion  as  to  the  right  course 
to  pursue.     My  answer  in  this  case  will  suffice  on  this  point.     It  is  as  follows: 

"Dear  Sir:  I  have  yours  of  June  17  asking  my  views  on  some  phases  of  the  use 
of  farmers'  institute  funds  for  employing  speakers  to  address  other  than  distinctly 
institute  organizations.     And  in  reply  will  say: 

"First.  It  is  my  judgment  it  should  be  the  aim  in  every  State  to  secure  a  unity  of 
effort  and  of  active  work  among  all  agricultural,  horticultural,  and  dairy  organiza- 
tions; the  work  is  one,  and  should  be  so  understood. 

"Second.  I  believe  it  to  be  a  legitimate  use  of  institute  funds  to  provide  speakers, 
when  so  requested,  for  other  organizations,  where  it  is  clear  the  interests  for  which 
institute  money  is  appropriated  will  be  advanced.  In  such  cases  credit  should  be 
given  in  the  programme  or  else  in  the  report  of  the  meeting,  or  both,  that  such 
speaker  was  so  provided." 

The  feasibility  of  such  use  of  the  funds  will,  I  think,  depend  very  much  on  the 
conditions  in  each  case.  If  these  are  favorable  I  would  judge  it  to  he  advisable  to 
assist.  I  have  provided  speakers  for  State  grange,  county  hoards  of  agriculture, 
dairy  meetings,  etc.,  when  I  felt  sure  I  was  advancing  the  interests  for  which  such 
funds  were  appropriated  and  for  the  advancement  of  which  my  office  was  created. 

Whatever  the  institute  seeks  to  do,  whatever  it  claims  a  prior  or  higher  right  to 
do,  it  must  show  itself  capable  of  doing  successfully.  It  should  commend  itself  by 
its  work.  Its  work  should  he  progressive  from  year  to  year;  there  must  he  improve- 
ment; order  of  exercise  should  be  varied;  old  truths  should  be  presented  in  a  new 
setting;  seemingly  small  matters  must  he  considered;  natural  laws-ef  plant  and  ani- 
mal life  should  be  explained.  Possibly  some  subjects  should  be  treated  in  pr  ; 
sion,  going  a  step  forward  and  higher  each  year,  until  that  question  in  a  given 
locality  has  been  thoroughly  and  exhaustively  treated.  This  work 
important,  and  will  be  of  so  much  value  to  the  agricultural  interests  and  the  agricul- 
tural workers  of  the  continent,  that  those  charged  with  the  execution  of  it  should 
meet  annually,  as  we  are  met  here,  for  discussing  plans,  subjects,  methods  of  work, 
and  speakers. 


46 

Discussion  i  t  Si-pekintendent  Dye's  Pater. 

C.  D.  Smith,  of  Michigan.  In  Michigan  we  have  two  strung  organizations,  the 
grange  and  the  tanners'  club.  These  lielj»  the  institutes  immeasurably  by  furnishing 
us  with  excellent  local  speakers,  and  by  giving  us  men  trained  in  parliamentary  usage 
for  chairmen.  The  institutes  have  not  injured  either  organization  at  all.  The 
farmers'  club  and  the  grange  are  continuous  in  their  operations;  they  meet  once  a 
month  or  so.  They  are  consulted  in  regard  to  institute  work,  and  our  bulletin-  arc 
sent  to  the  members  of  the  local  society. 

F.  E.  Dawlbt,  of  New  York.  In  our  State  we  have  about  800  good,  live  granges. 
We  Beem  to  have  the  best  work  and  workers  in  the  sections  where  the  grange  is 
strongest.  I  believe  if  you  were  to  blindfold  one  of  our  workers  and  take  him  to  the 
platform  he  would  soon  be  able  to  tell  you  whether  there  was  a  good  grange  or 
farmers'  club  in  that  community  from  the  interest  manifested.  I  should  be  very 
loath  to  attempt  to  establish  any  system  of  local  work  which  would  interfere  with 
the  grand  work  which  the  grange  is  now  doing  for  us.  We  are,  however,  arranging 
local  organizations  in  four  or  rive  sections  where  there  is  no  grange.  At  the  same 
time  it  seems  to  me  that  an  organization  meeting  but  from  two  to  four  times  a  year 
can  not  have  the  same  good  effect  as  an  organization  which  meets  semimonthly,  as 
the  grange  does. 

George  E.  Rowe,  of  Michigan.  I  am  president  of  the  Kent  County  farmers'  insti- 
tute in  Michigan,  and  also  a  member  of  the  grange  for  the  county.  We  have  asked 
for  15  one-day  institute  meetings  in  our  county.  Of  the  15  invitations  forwarded,  12 
were  sent  by  local  granges,  and  in  all  requests  sent  in  by  granges  the  grange  hall 
has  been  offered  free  for  the  meeting.  I  want  to  say  that  we  have  the  cooperation  of 
the  grange  in  our  institute  work,  and  they  are  practically  the  institute  workers  of  the 
county,  helping  by  speaking  and  in  every  other  way. 

A.  L.  Martin,  of  Pennsylvania.  I  am  greatly  interested  in  the  relation  of  the 
farmers'  institute  to  the  grange.  In  Pennsylvania  the  grange  is  an  effective  force. 
The  farmers'  clubs  have  also  joined  hands  with  the  institute.  We  have  also  over 
100  agricultural  societies  in  Pennsylvania,  a  goodly  number  of  which  hold  regular 
monthly  meetings,  discussing  questions  relative  to  farm  methods  and  operations.  I 
want  to  add  my  word  of  commendation  for  each  and  every  farm  organization  in  our 
State.  They  are  the  life  and  strength  of  the  farmers'  institutes,  and  the  suecc-s  of 
the  institutes  seems  to  depend  to  a  large  degree  upon  the  cooperation  of  these  organiza- 
tions. We  have  endeavored  to  get  their  good  will  and  cooperation.  The  agricultural 
college  is  the  source  from  which  we  procure  our  local  management  of  the  institute: 
hence  in  our  State  it  is  very  closely  allied  with  active  institute  work.  In  many 
counties  where  grange  meetings  are  held  the  halls  are  too  small;  hence  we  have  had 
to  hold  overflow  meetings  in  one  or  two  places  and  move  to  the  churches.  This 
speaks  well  for  the  grange  and  kindred  organizations. 

0.  C.  Gregg,  of  Minnesota.  I  am  glad  to  hear  the  grange  well  spoken  of.  Cir- 
cumstances in  our  State  are  such  that  we*  could  not  absorb  the  grange,  but  we  rind 
them  wonderful  helps  in  our  work.  The  most  cordial  relations  exist  among  all 
our  agricultural  organizations:  but  we  recognize  this  fact,  that  the  grange  has  one 
particular  work  to  do.  namely,  the  home  work. 


WOMEN'S  INSTITUTES. 

By  Miss  Blanche  Maddock,  of  Canada. 

While  I  feel  somewhat  out  of  place  to-night.  I  consider  it  a  privilege  to  address 
this  audience  on  the  subject  of  women's  institutes,  because  I  feel  it  is  an  acknowledg- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  committee  of  the  importance  of  this  branch  oi  the  work. 
I  am  sorry  there  are  not  more  ladies  present. 


47 

I  feel  that  this  is  woman's  age.  We  are  now  on  our  trial,  and  the  weal  or  woe 
of  this  new  century  lies  largely  in  <»ur  hands.  I  >«  »*  —  it  not  become  us  to  pause  and 
consider  the  responsibility  laid  npon  as?  There  is  no*  Bcarcelya  convention  «»r 
gathering  of  any  kind  tor  the  bettering  and  upbuilding  of  Bociety  where  women  are 
nol  represented.    This  has  no1  been  accomplished  by  any  "declaration  of  rights"  on 

the  part  of  women,  but  by  the  courtesy  of  the  gentlemen  u  ho  have  had  these  matters 

in  charge.  In  some  quarters  we  hear  a  great  (leal  about  the  necessity  of  woman 
asserting  her  rights;  this  is  not  our  aim. 

What  are  women'-  needs?  Women  have  long  felt  the  need  of  something  to  lighten 
the  burden  of  housework,  but  in  many  cases  we  have  adopted  wrong  means  to  remedy 

the  evils  felt.  It  has  been  truly  said  that  where  her  life  touches  another,  there  she 
has  influence  and  there  is  her  place.  Who  is  more  interested  in  the  present-day 
reforms  than  women?  And  the  question  is,  What  is  the  best  method  of  dealing  with 
them  from  a  woman's  standpoint?  In  answering  that  question,  I  would  say,  "From 
the  standpoint  of  the  home."  I  do  not  say  this  in  a  depreciating  sense.  By  no 
means.  I  think  if  our  homes  were  all  they  should  be,  we  would  look  into  the  future 
feeling  assured  that  all  needed  reforms  would  reach  a  speedy  settlement.  In  address- 
ing an  audience  of  gentlemen  it  may  seem  unnecessary  to  speak  on  the  subject  of  the 
home,  but  while  home  is  truly  the  "woman's  kingdom,"  have  men  no  responsibility? 
Are  they  not  interested?  At  the  present  time  the  domestic  world  seems  to  be  in  a 
troubled,  unsettled  state.  We  have  had  many  plans  and  remedies  offered.  We 
have  been  told  that  if  new  appliances  were  introduced  in  the  home  to  lighten  the 
household  burdens  this  would  effect  a  cure.  Yet  how  many  of  us  have  gone  into 
homes  and,  perhaps,  have  opened  a  door  by  mistake  and  have  had  a  revelation, 
that  of  looking  into  some  cupboard  where  the  housewife  had  stored  all  sorts  of  appli- 
ances which  had  been  recommended  to  lighten  her  home  work!  It  is  true  these 
things  must  be  introduced,  but  they  are  not  a  cure.  They  may  assist  very  mate- 
rially, but  to  my  mind  the  great  necessity  is  education. 

Another  plan  suggested  is  the  all-things-in-common  idea,  especially  in  cities — com- 
mon libraries,  common  dining  halls,  and  so  on.  Gladstone  has  truly  said  "Home  is 
the  foundation  of  the  State;"  then  surely  in  doing  away  with  the  home  and  privacy 
of  family  life  we  are  undermining  this  foundation,  and  it  will  surely  lead  to  the 
decay  and  crumbling  of  the  nation. 

What,  then,  is  the  remedy?  We  know  that  in  many  places  girls  are  becoming 
dissatisfied  with  home  life.  They  are  ready  to  go  into  almost  anything — store,  office, 
factory — anything,  rather  than  stay  at  home.  For  years  the  same  trouble  existed 
among  the  boys  on  the  farm.  Many  plans  have  been  advanced  for  a  solution  of  the 
problem,  but  it  has  been  found  that  the  only  successful  method  of  keeping  the  boys 
on  the  farm  is  to  give  them  a  scientific  agricultural  education.  In  order  to  meet 
this  need  agricultural  colleges  were  introduced,  the  benefits  of  which  it  is  not  : 
sary  to  mention.  But  after  all,  they  have  only  reached  a  limited  number  of  the 
young  men  of  the  country.  Then,  in  order  to  meet  the  further  nee>\.  the  farmers' 
institutes  were  organized.  Since  the  formation  of  the  farmers'  institutes  farming  has 
received  a  new  impetus.  Farmers  recognize  their  work  as  a  profession,  and  the  old 
cry  of  drudgery  is  not  bo  often  heard.  But  this  cry  comes  loud  and  clear  from  the 
farm  home,  and  we  shall  continue  to  hear  it  until  the  same  remedy  is  applied — the 
need  of  scientific  knowledge  for  women!  This  has  been  recognized,  and  domestic 
science  schools  have  been  instituted;  but,  as  in  the  case  of  the  agricultural  colleges 
for  boys,  we  find  that  these  schools  only  reach  a  very  limited  number  of  our  girls. 
They  do  not  reach  the  housekeepers  of  the  present  day.  and  in  order  to  meet  this 
need  in  Ontario,  women's  institutes  have  been  organized.  At  the  commencement  of 
1900  there  was  only  one  institute  in  Ontario,  but  under  the  management  of  Superin- 
tendent Creelman,  who  has  spared  no  pains  in  advancing  the  work,  we  have  now  32 
institutes.  In  addition  to  these  there  are  a  number  of  branches,  with  a  total  mem- 
bership of  1,503. 


48 

The  machinery  for  running  the  women's  institutes  is  very  simple.  About  two 
years  ago  the  superintendent  sent  out  circulars  to  the  wives  and  (laughters  of  some 
of  the  leading  farmers'  institute  members,  setting  forth  the  necessity  of  doing  some- 
thing along  household  lines,  and  the  importance  of  furthering  the  aims  and  objects 
of  women's  institutes.     These  are  as  follows: 

"The  dissemination  of  knowledge  relating  to  household  economy,  including 
household  architecture,  with  special  attention  to  home  sanitation;  abetter  under- 
standing of  the  economic  and  hygienic  value  of  foods,  clothing,  and  fuels,  and  a 
more  scientific  care  and  training  of  children,  with  a  view  to  raising  the  general 
standard  of  health  and  morals  among  our  people." 

After  reading  these  circulars  the  ladies  were  prepared  for  the  organization  meeting. 
Local  farmer's  institute  officers  in  advertising  their  own  winter  meetings  arranged 
for  the  ladies  to  attend  and  hold  a  separate  meeting  »n  the  afternoon.  In  some 
sections  it  was  very  easy  to  organize  the  first  afternoon;  all  we  had  to  do  was  to  call 
the  ladies  together  and  persuade  certain  of  their  number  to  take  the  work  of  officers. 
We  find  it  is  useless  to  call  on  some  one  to  nominate  a  president,  It  is  essential  that 
the  officers  consent  to  act.  The  names  of  those  who  wish  to  become  members  are 
then  taken,  and  also  the  fee  of  25  cents.  If  they  will  not  pay  25  cents  we  take  it  as 
an  evidence  they  are  not  interested  in  the  literature,  and  therefore  it  would  be  use- 
less to  send  it  out  to  those  who  were  not  members. 

After  the  officers  are  elected  we  try,  if  possible,  to  arrange  the  number  of  places  in 
the  county  where  meetings  may  be  held,  and  fix  the  time  and  place  for  the  one  to 
follow  the  organization  meeting.  Some  gentlemen  have  said  to  me  to-day  that  they 
feel  the  need  of  something  of  this  kind,  but  find  great  difficulty  in  getting  started. 
We  have  the  same  difficulty  in  Ontario;  on  the  other  hand,  as  I  have  gone  through 
our  own  Province  and  also  Manitoba,  I  have  found  the  women  only  too  anxious  to 
commence  some  such  work. 

Sometimes  I  go  into  a  district  where  the  outlook  is  anything  but  promising;  per- 
haps five  or  six  women  assembled.  But  I  talk  up  the  work,  get  them  interested, 
and  usually  succeed  in  organizing  an  institute.  We  generally  have  an  afternoon  and 
an  evening  meeting.  In  the  afternoon  we  try  to  elect  the  officers  and  then  leave  the 
explanation  of  the  work  until  the  union  meeting  in  the  evening,  when  there  is  a 
larger  attendance.  The  lady  delegate  then  appeals  personally  to  every  lady  in  the 
evening  audience,  while  the  other  delegate  is  speaking  in  an  informal  manner  to  the 
gathering.  We  have  generally  experienced  that  the  strongest  and  best  institutes 
have  sprung  up  in  the  places  where  in  the  beginning  there  was  not  only  indifference 
but  also  opposition. 

The  Government  grants  $10  a  year  to  each  women's  institute  that  has  a  member- 
ship of  50.  The  ladies  generally  meet  once  a  month,  either  in  a  private  house  or 
hall,  and  carry  on  their  own  meetings.  Most  of  them  are  conducted  by  local  talent, 
but  in  some  cases,  where  they  have  a  good  membership  and  sufficient  funds  at  their 
disposal,  they  send  to  an  outside  place  for  a  speaker  on  some  subject  in  which  they 
are  particularly  interested.  We  have  many  organizations  for  women  at  the  present 
time,  but  to  my  mind  the  women's  institute  covers  the  ground  very  completely  and 
is  just  what  the  country  women  need. 

Q.  (By  H.  E.  Stockbridge,  of  Florida.)  In  the  United  States  we  have  local  State 
and  national  women's  clubs;  have  you  these  in  Canada? 

A.  No;  but  the  women's  institute  takes  their  place.  In  regard  to  relieving  the 
monotony  of  housework  1  would  like  to  be  clear.  By  taking  the  subjects  of  our 
everyday  work  and  finding  out  the  elements  of  their  make-up,  our  work  becomes 
interesting.  For  instance,  we  take  foods  and  find  out  of  what  they  are  composed  and 
by  the  knowledge  gained  are  enabled  to  make  up  a  well-balanced  meal.  We  know 
that  if  our  minds  are  actively  and  pleasantly  engaged  we  actually  rest  while  doing 
our  work.      By  having  our  minds  occupied  with  a  pleasant  train  of  thought  the  work 


49 

is  done  before  we  realize  it.  sine-  I  have  studied  bacteriology  I  have  often  gone 
back  and  washed  the  dishcloth  in  ho1  water  and  hung  it  in  the  Bun.  Then,  new 
methods  are  introduced  for  Lessening  housework  and  thus  Shortening  the  hours.  But 
greal  care  has  to  be  taken  in  introducing  new  appliances  and  new  methods.  We  are 
told  a  greal  deal  aboul  using  the  right  kinds  of  foods.  It  is  necessary  that  we  have 
an  intelligent  Idea  aboul  the  composition  of  foods.  Borne  one  comes  along  with 
whole-wheat  biscuits  and  tells  us  they  arc  just  the  thing  we  ought  to  eat,  hitherto 
we  have  been  eating  the  wrong  kind  of  food.  In  these  biscuits  we  know  thei 
great  deal  of  bran  retained;  and  we  also  know  that  more  energy  and  vitality  ie 
up  in  digesting  this  than  any  amount  of  benefit  winch  is  gained.  Hence,  I  Bay  we 
require  education  and  must  be  prepared  for  Buch  things  as  this,  so  that  we  may  not 
be  imposed  on  by  the  vendor  who  seeks  to  (ill  his  purse  at  the  expense  of  the  igno- 
rant housewife.  This  ability  to  judge  of  the  merits  of  all  kinds  of  appliances  and 
improvements  is  essential. 

Discission  ok  Mis>  Maddock's   PAPER. 

0.  C.  Gregg,  of  Minnesota.  As  church  people  1  believe  we  are  guilty.  We  have 
started  organizations  of  almost  every  kind  all  over  the  land,  hut  have  forgotten  our 
homes.  One  of  the  best  women  I  ever  met  said  to  me  that  she  believed  some  of 
these  women's  organizations  were  sapping  the  vital  interest  women  should  have  in 
their  homes.  I  believe  it.  There  is  something  grand  in  the  fact  that  a  woman  can 
prepare  food  for  ;i  hungry  family.  It  is  a  wrong  sentiment  that  is  abroad  in  the  com- 
munity to-day  which  makes  the  work  of  the  kitchen  low. 

In  Minnesota  we  have  been  doing  women's  institute  work,  but  in  a  different  way. 
I  did  not  meet  with  as  much  opposition  as  I  thought  I  would.  One  of  the  great 
helps  is  that  this  branch  of  the  work  will  be  a  great  social  center.  You  will  get  the 
women  to  understand  that  it  is  a  noble  thing  to  do  the  work  of  the  home.  I  believe 
much  good  may  be  done  by  adopting  better  appliances  for  housework.  The  average 
housekeeper  does  not  take  readily  to  new  things  and  new  ways  in  the  home,  but 
education,  as  indicated  in  Miss  Maddock's  paper,  is  going  to  help. 

THE   QUESTION  BOX  AT  INSTITUTES. 
By  Superintendent  W.  L.  Amoss,  of  Maryland. 

I  think  I  said  that  no  one  should  speak  to  an  audience  unless  he  knows 
something  about  his  subject.  I  may  say  that  I  consider  the  question  box  a  failure 
in  my  State,  and  am  not  prepared  to  speak  on  its  merits.  I  recognize  its  importance. 
It  is,  without  doubt,  as  necessary  as  the  speakers  themselves.  I  have  tried  many 
ways  to  get  the  people  interested  in  the  question  box — asking  questions  aloud,  send- 
ing them  up  to  the  chair,  passing  slips  of  paper  throughout  the  audience,  but  all  to 
no  purpose.  My  people  seem  to  be  too  conservative.  They  have  not  had  the 
experience  of  granges,  etc.,  have  not  confidence  in  themselves,  and  would  rather  sit 
in  the  background  and  let  someone  else  do  the  work.  In  a  place  where  we  have 
had  an  audience  of  200  and  a  two-day  meeting  I  have  not  been  able  to  get  a  single 
question.  They  will  listen  most  attentively  to  a  speaker,  and  apparently  are  greatly 
interested,  but  will  never  ask  a  question.  So  I  have  been  discouraged  regarding  the 
question  box.  At  the  same  time  I  always  call  attention  to  it.  In  some  places  we 
get  a  few  questions,  but  it  is  never  a  success. 

I  know  my  people  are  different  from  those  with  whom  Prof essor Gregg  has  to  deal. 
When  Mr.  Van  Alstyne  and  Professor  Powell  went  through  our  State  with  me  they 
said  they  never  saw  people  that  would  take  the  principles  of  agriculture  so  readily 
as  ours  would. 

14024— No.  110—02 4 


50 

Sometimes  I  '.vt  my  workers  to  ask  questions,  and  refer  them  to  one  of  the  dele- 
gation wh«.  is  capable  of  answering,  thus  enlivening  the  meeting.  By  getting  into 
conversation  with  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  the  workers  can  often  -jet  in  touch 
with  them  and  learn  just  what  their  difficulties  are  and  the  particular  line  along 
which  they  arc  seeking  information. 

l>>i  U88ION  of  Superintendent  Amoss's  Paper. 

O.  C.  Gregg,  of  Minnesota.  In  Minnesota  we  find  the  question  box  indispensable. 

We  usually  have  it  filled  in  the  morning  and  answer  the  questions  in  the  afternoon. 

W.  C.  Latta,  of  Indiana.     We  do  not  have  Mr.  Amoss's  difficulty.     We  appoint 

a  man.  usually  a  resident  of  the  locality,  to  take  charge  of  the  question  l>ox  and.  if 

BSary,  prepare  questions  for  it  and  send  them  in.     If  necessary  we  open  up  this 

l.ox.  and  sometimes  it  tills  in  a  break  very  nicely.     We  reserve  the  right  to  answer 

just  such  questions  as  we  deem  pertinent. 

F.  E.  Dawley,  of  New  York.  We  consider  the  question  box  a  valuable  feature. 
We  devote  one  hour  to  it  at  every  session  except  the  first  We  never  have  to  -tuff 
the  hex:  rather  have  difficulty  in  getting  through  with  the  questions  asked. 

H.  Glendenning,  of  Canada.  In  Ontario  the  question  box  is  indispensable.  The 
chairman  of  the  delegation  runs  it.  From  the  time  the  speaker  commences  there  is 
a  series  of  questions  asked.  In  the  afternoon  slips  of  paper  are  distributed  throughout 
the  audience,  and  thesequestionsare  answered  at  night  whilethe  people  are  gathering. 
As  a  rule,  we  have  a  large  number;  I  have  seen  as  many  as  300  in  the  box — some- 
wise. BOme  otherwise.  We  pick  out  the  best.  Answering  them  first  thing  in  the 
evening  brings  the  people  out  early.  If  subjects  are  being  discussed  in  which  a  man 
is  not  particularly  interested,  he  is  at  liberty  to  ask  for  information  along  the  line  he 
wishes.      \Ve  try  to  get  the  local  men  to  do  all  the  work  we  can.     It  creates  an  interest. 

W.  L   Hutchinson,  of  Mississippi.   In  Mississippi  we  use  the  question  boxsm 
fully.     At  the  commencement  of  the  meetings  we  announce  just  when  the  box  will  l>e 
opened.     We  answer  every  question  as  fully  as  possible.     We  always  answer,  even 
if  we  ha\  e  to  say  we  do  not  know. 

H.  E.  Stockbridge,  of  Florida.  In  Florida  we  find  it  invaluable.  Sometimes  we 
devote  a  whole  session  to  it.  As  a  rule  I  stuff  the  question  box.  As  the  subjects 
are  being  presented  I  make  notes  of  the  points  which  seem  to  me  to  have  been 
skipped,  and  perhaps  in  the  general  discussion  we  have  not  time  for  them:  bo  they 
are  brought  out  in  the  question  box.  If  no  one  else  has  covered  the  point.  I  do  it 
myself.  After  the  speaker  answering  the  question  has  finished  his  remarks  we  throw 
it  open  for  anyone  else.     We  never  skip  questions,  but  answer  all  in  some  way. 


CORRESPONDENCE  COURSES  IN  AGRICULTURE. 

By  John  Craig,  of  Cornell  University. 

Many  things  have  interested  me  to-night.  Your  secretary  has  given  me  much 
information.  I  am  somewhat  frightened  at  the  absorbing  capacity  which  the  insti- 
tutes of  Ontario  have  evinced.  I  had  not  heard  anything,  however,  in  connection 
with  the  women's  institutes,  and  was  just  thinking  that  the  lack  of  them  was  the 
element  of  weakness  which  would  work  their  destruction.  I  was  therefore  relieved 
and  interested  when  I  learned  so  much  about  the  women's  institutes  in  Ontario. 
One  cause  of  the  failure  of  the  grange  may  be  the  lack  of  women's  interest.  We 
have  occasion  to  know  something  of  the  good  of  women's  organizations  in  this  State. 
We  know  that  where  there  is  a  live  grange  with  women  as  members,  they  develop 
the  social  side,  which  is  <>ne  oi  the  very  important  features. 

However,  you  want  to  know  something  about  correspondence  courses.  To  go  to 
the  beginning  I  shall  have  to  turn  to  Dr.  Mills.     A  good  many  things  began  in 


51 

Ontario.  It'  you  will  run  back  iii  the  history  of  correspondence  courses  I  think  you 
will  find  that  the  germ  of  the  movemenl  began  there,  and  l>r.  Mill-  was  one  of  the 
originators.  I  think  thai  the  movement  was  commenced  in  rather  too  intricate  a 
manner,  or  perhaps  the  country  was  not  ripe  tor  it;  i>ut  though  it  <li<l  not  Sourish,  it 
has  left  its  impress. 

Now,  the  whole  extension  movement,  and  this  correspondence  branch  which  takes 
up  part  of  my  time  at  the  university,  did  not  -tart  out  with  any  definite  plan  or 
elaborate  programme,  and  the  reason  of  its  success  may  be  attributed  to  tin-  fact  that 
it  had  its  origin  in  the  right  place,  viz,  among  the  farmers.  It  began  on  the  farm, 
and  the  work  of  Cornell  was  simply  a  responsive  movement,  80  that  having  the 
farmers  hack  of  the  movement  there  was  no  difficulty  in  carrying  it  on. 

We  regard  the  work  of  the  children  one  of  the  most  important.  Work  among 
the  children  in  this  state  has  been  of  vast  importance,  but  it-  success  has  been  largely 
due  to  the  enthusiasm  of  the  men  who  have  it  in  charge. 

What  is  the  correspondence  course?  I  low  is  it  carried  on?  And  what  has  it  done? 
We  have  correspondence  courses  in  all  kinds  of  things  now — commercial,  mathe- 
matical, and  mechanical.  Our  correspondence  courses  at  Cornell  are  not  carried  on 
with  any  hard  and  fast  rules.  There  are  no  difficulties  about  entering.  Anyone  in 
the  State  may  become  a  member  by  signifying  his  wish  t->  do  so.  We  send  the 
lessons  out  to  anyone  who  will  read  them  carefully,  look  at  the  questions  and 
answer  them  carefully.  It  does  not  make  any  difference  to  us  whether  he  consults 
that  lesson  to  answer  the  questions.  If  he  takes  the  trouble  to  answer  the  questions 
and  return  the  sheet  to  us,  we  know  he  can  not  help  gaining  benefit  from  the  prin- 
ciples laid  down  in  that  work. 

We  arrange  our  work  in  a  series.  The  first  five  lessons  make  a  winter's  work. 
Then  we  arrange  a  number  of  lessons  touching  as  fully  as  possible  on  the  principles 
of  cattle  feeding,  also  in  regard  to  fruit  growing.  We  take  the  plant  as  an  individual 
and  discuss  the  growth  and  care  of  the  same.  There  are  five  lessons  on  the  apple 
tree.  Each  series  is  completed  by  a  review  which  covers  the  series  entirely.  We  do 
not  try  to  get  at  the  upper-class  man.  The  question  arises,  "  Shall  we  aim  our  work 
at  the  man  in  the  front  rank  or  in  the  lower  grades?" — and  you  as  institute  workers 
know  that  in  your  audiences  you  have  many  grades.  We  try  to  help  the  young  man 
in  the  ordinary  ranks.  We  try  to  get  the  man  who  is  not  a  good  institute  man  to  take 
the  work,  the  man  who  does  not  attend  the  farmers'  club  or  the  grange.  We  get 
these  men  through  some  good,  live,  intelligent  man  in  the  community.  We  urge 
the  men  to  meet  together  and  read  the  lessons.  Often  from  six  to  twelve  agree  to 
meet  regularly  throughout  the  winter.  There  were  about  fifty  of  these  circles  last 
winter.  I  know  of  one  composed  of  twelve  young  men  living  10  miles  apart,  and 
they  never  failed  to  meet  regularly  for  four  months,  and  used  our  reading  les<ous  for 
theirstudy.  What  shall  wedo  with  these  people  in  summer?  Our  aim  isto interest 
them  in  the  experimental  side  of  the  work.  We  endeavor  to  find  out  what  agricul- 
tural difficulties  they  are  meeting  with  and  then  institute  some  experiments.  These 
summer  meetings  are  a  very  valuable  adjunct  to  the  institute  work.  They  form  the 
real  laboratory  work  which  the  institute  can  not  undertake.  These  little  clubs  of  men 
who  are  anxious  to  learn  will  go  on  from  year  to  year,  and  thus  the  correspondence 
courses  will  greatly  aid  the  work  of  the  farmers'  institute.-. 

We  have  not  hitherto  given  any  certificate  or  other  recognition  for  the  completion 
of  the  reading  course.  When  a  man  had  finished  it  that  was  all  there  was  to  it.  We 
are  now  arranging  to  give  certificates  to  graduates,  stating  that  they  have  been  mem- 
bers of  the  reading  club  of  Cornell  University.  I  believe  it  is  a  good  thing  to  have 
something  tangible. 

The  work  among  the  farmers  has  been  very  satisfactory,  and  through  it  has  come 
a  demand  for  some  such  work  among  the  women.  Their  lot  on  the  farm  is  not  a 
happy  one  by  any  means,  and  is  usually  very  monotonous.     This  is  largely  due  to 


52 

the  lack  of  interest — intelligent  interest — in  the  little  things  connected  with  house- 
hold routine,  and  so  we  have  a  series  tor  women's  help,  arranged  the  same  as  those 
for  the  farmer.  Two  trial  lessons  have  been  sent  onl  and  have  met  with  hearty 
appreciation.  They  have  run  6,000  this  winter.  We  shall  add  three  lessons  more. 
The  iirst  lesson  was  entitled  "  Saving  steps."  You  must  put  Sympathy  in  the  work 
it  you  want  to  help  the  women,  and  we  have  presented  these  "saving-step"  helps  in  a 
very  plain  way.  In  the  second  Lesson  we  had  that  important  topic  "  Household 
sanitation."  We  go  not  only  into  the  science,  but  tell  in  story  form  just  what  did 
happen  in  an  old  farmhouse  where  there  were  no  sanitary  appliances,  and  what  did 
happen  when  the  young  who  knew  something  of  science  took  things  in  hand. 

We  are  always  glad  to  send  copies  to  our  friends  who  are  interested  in  the  work. 
The  farmers'  institutes  are  broad  enough  to  reach  into  the  home,  and  I  believe  this 
is  the  place  to  work.  It  is  much  more  important  to  touch  the  home  than  it  is  to 
teach  a  man  to  feed  stock  properly,  and  we  aim  to  do  that  work.  I  think  the  move- 
ment can  not  fail  to  be  a  great  benefit. 

Q.  (By  Dr.  Mills,  of  Canada. )  Are  the  lessons  for  women  prepared  hymen  or 
women  ? 

A.  "Saving  steps"  was  prepared  by  a  woman. 

Q.  Is  the  preparing  of  a  lesson  left  to  the  judgment  of  the  one  employed  to  do  it 
or  to  a  committee? 

A.  They  pass  through  my  hands.  I  am  the  editor  of  them.  In  every  department 
one  man  is  responsible. 

Q.  (By  W.  C.  Latta,  of  Indiana.)  I  would  like  to  know  the  number  of  clubs  and 
individuals? 

A.  In  three  years  we  have  about  27,000  members  in  the  farmers'  reading  course. 
There  are  40  clubs  in  the  State,  1  outside,  1  in  Kentucky,  and  1  in  Georgia.  The 
average  membership  of  the  clubs  is  12.  In  some  cases  it  is  as  high  as  25,  and  in 
some  less  than  12. 

Q.  (By  Superintendent  Hamilton.)  Is  your  reading  course  confined  entirely  to 
articles  prepared  by  the  university,  or  do  you  recommend  books? 

A.  Thus  far  it  has  been  confined  solely  to  the  matter  prepared  by  the  university. 
We  are  now  confronted  with  that  problem.  I  am  at  present  preparing  a  course  of 
reading  for  those  who  wish  to  pursue  the  course  further. 


ILLUSTRATION    AND    DEMONSTRATION    WORK    AT    INSTITUTES. 

By  J.  C.  Cfrryer,  of  Minnesota. 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  American  Association  of  Farmers' 
Institute  Workers:  I  am  indeed  very  sorry  that  I  can  not  be  with  you  at  this  very 
important  meeting,  but  let  me  assure  you  that  I  am  one  of  you  in  spirit  for  the 
very  best  interests  of  this  international  work.  It  has  for  months  been  my  intention, 
ambition,  and  hope  to  be  able  to  present  this  topic  at  this  time  in  person,  because  I 
keenly  feel  my  inability  to  do  the  subject  justice  on  paper.  But  we  are  ever  con- 
trolled by  the  fate  of  circumstances,  which  at  this  time  dictates  that  I  must  forego 
the  opportunity  of  this  meeting,  its  pleasures  and  benefits;  therefore  I  beg  your 
indulgence  for  a  very  brief  period  with  a  paper  on  the  above  subject. 

The  value  of  practical  demonstration  at  institute  meetings  can  only  be  compre- 
hended and  well  understood  by  the  demonstration  of  the  work  itself  under  discussion 
before  this  association  just  as  it  should  be  presented  at  an  institute  meeting.  In 
other  words,  if  the  method  is  of  value  in  institute  meetings  it  should  be  of  equal 
importance  to  this  association  for  the  general  good  of  all  institute  workers. 

Probably  one  of  the  most  valuable  features  of  illustrated  and  demonstrated  work 
at  the  institute  meetings  is  that  of  holding  the  undivided  attention  of  the  entire 


53 

audience,  which,  tor  beet  results,  must  be  secured;  and  as  people  generally  like  to  Bee 
the  speaker  who  is  addressing  them,  they  also  arc  as  deeply  interested  in  seeing  just 
what  he  is  representing. 

Illustration  and  demonstration  work  at  the  institutes  is  further  valuable  iron,  the 
fact  that  almost  every  hearer  who  can  see  will  absorb  the  details  of  the  subject  repre- 
sented without  particularly  taxing  the  mental  faculties,  which  can  not  be  the  case 
where  only  oral  descriptions  are  employed. 

Form,  proportion,  and  development  can  be  more  easily  shown  than  minutely 
described,  and  audiences  of  mixed  nationalities,  varied  degrees  of  intelligence  and 
education  can  much  better  understand  the  illustrated  and  demonstrated  work  of  an 
ordinary  individual  like  your  humble  servant  than  if  he  could  use  the  language  of 
the  most  talented  and  highly  educated,  employing  only  words  to  make  himself 
understood.  If  the  blackboard,  the  globe,  and  other  object-teaching  furniture  used 
in  our  schools  is  of  practical  value  in  the  education  of  our  children,  then  why  is  not 
illustration  and  demonstration  in  our  institute  meetings  of  equal  importance?  Adults 
are  but  children  of  a  larger  growth. 

Another,  and  possibly  the  most  important,  advantage  is  the  economy  of  time. 
That  which  would  usually  require  an  hour's  time  to  minutely  describe  in  words  can 
be  much  better  presented,  more  fully  comprehended,  and  more  thoroughly  under- 
stood in  from  fifteen  to  twenty  minutes,  thus  saving  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  time. 
And  the  best  part  of  demonstrated  and  illustrated  work  is  that  all  close  observers 
understand  the  descriptions  alike;  but  where  only  oral  presentation  is  employed,  too 
often  no  two  of  the  entire  audience  get  exactly  the  same  impressions  or  ideas. 

Working  models,  colored  pictures,  outlines  of  handy  devices  on  the  farm,  and, 
when  possible,  the  very  things  themselves,  of  good  and  bad  character,  to  show  the 
perfect  and  imperfect,  are  of  inestimable  value  to  those  who  are  not  well  educated 
and  trained  to  close  observation. 

The  plainer,  the  simpler,  the  more  childlike  and  realistic  the  subjects  presented 
at  a  farmers'  meeting  can  be  made,  the  more  interested  the  audience,  the  more 
comprehensive  the  work,  and  the  more  practical  the  results.  We  need  less  spread- 
eagle  oratory  and  more  doing  (demonstration) ;  more  appeals  to  one  or  more  of  the 
five  senses  and  less  taxation  on  the  analytical  gray  matter;  more  real  farming  and 
less  theory  without  substantial  facts  to  sustain  it. 

Please  don't  understand  me  to  advocate  that  the  work  should  be  wholly  in  pan- 
tomime, but  to  strongly  advocate  and  really  urge  the  use  of  the  eyes  and  hands  as 
well  as  the  ears  and  all  other  faculties  when  dealing  with  practical  lessons  in 
agriculture. 

As  the  work  of  the  farmers'  institute  is  designed  for  the  improvement  of  the  farmer 
and  his  methods,  should  we  not  meet  him  and  his  conditions  with  the  very  best, 
most  practical,  and  comprehensive  system  that  the  combined  ability  of  the  insti- 
tute managers  of  the  several  States  can  devise?  Shall  we  not  make  the  farmers  of 
the  whole  country  feel  the  influence  of  their  calling  to  such  a  degree  that  they  will 
vie  with  all  other  professions  in  the  attainment  of  the  greatest  possibilities  in  the 
science  of  agriculture?  Should  not  every  farmers'  institute  worker  strive  to  his 
utmost  to  present  his  subject  in  such  a  practical  and  common-senss  manner  that  the 
most  ordinary  operator  in  his  line  can  take  hold  of  the  work  presented  understand- 
ingly?  Shall  we  not  by  voice  and  pen  ask,  and  even  insist,  that  the  managers  and 
workers  of  farmers'  institutes  in  every  State  and  province  attend  the  annual  meetings 
of  this  association,  bringing  with  them  their  new  methods,  practical  object  lessons, 
inspiring  influences,  statistics,  history,  and  success  of  the  past  year  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  next?  Our  cause  is  a  worthy  one,  and  lies  at  the  very  foundation  of  the 
future  prosperity  of  our  country.  Then  shall  we  not  make  the  most  of  it  for  the 
benefit  of  the  present  as  well  as  future  generations? 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


Am,—.  \v.  i. 

Burnett.  K.  A..  6. 

Carlyle,  W.  I...  6. 

Collingwood,  II.  W.,  6,  39. 

Converse,  F.  a..  6,  11. 

Cook,  H.  K..  6. 

Craig,  J..  6,  50 

Creelman,  <;.  C.,6,  9,  32. 

Curryer,  J.  ('.,  52. 

Daw  ley,  F.  E.,  6,  30.  35,  41.  42,  46,  50. 

Dye,  V..  6,29,  36,  44. 

Elderkin,  E.  B..  6. 

Fraser,  W.  s..  6. 

Glendenning,  H..  6.  50. 

Goodrich,  C.  P.   6 

Greeley.  M.  F..  6. 

_    <».('..  6,  28,  36,  42,  46.  49,  50. 
Hull.  W.  W. 
Hamilton.  J..  6.  62. 
Board,  W.  I>..  6.  20. 
Hostetter,  a.  B..  6. 
Hutchinson,  W.  L.,  S,  26,  28,  33.  50. 
Hutt.  W.  X.,  6. 
Johnson,  W.  i 
Kinney,  Mrs. 
Latta.  W.  (  .  I,  52. 


Leach,  R.  E.  A..  9. 

McKerrow,  i  - 

McMillan.  J.,  6. 

McNeill.  A..  6,  36. 

Maddock,  B..  6,  46. 

Martin.  A.  L..  6,  31,  35,  38.  46. 

Meng.  J.  S.,  6. 

Mills,  J..  6,  12.  27.  52. 

Monroe,  C.  J..  6. 

Morden,  E.,  6. 

Myers.  W.  S.,  6. 

Raynor,  T.  G.,  6. 

Rowe,  G.  E,,  6.  46. 

Sheppard,  F.  A..  6. 

Smith,  <:.  I)..  6.  13.  27.  41.  42,  46. 

Smith.  G.  A..  6. 

Spencer.  J.  \\\.  6,  42. 

Standart,  C.  J..  6. 

Stbckbridge,  H.  E. 

Stohehouse,  J.,  6. 

Taber,  Mrs.  F.  A..  6. 

Taylor.  F.  W..  9. 

Thompson,  R..  6. 

True.  A.  C  22. 

Van  Alstyne,  E..  6. 


o 


UNIVERSITY  OF  FLORIDA 


3  1262  08927  8955 


